Sign in Subscribe
Genetic research

Validation of a 15-gene Prognostic Signature in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Michigan Medicine have developed and validated a 15-gene prognostic signature (15G score) for localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The study aimed to apply this signature to patients with metastatic ccRCC to evaluate its prognostic performance. The researchers analyzed 2,121 patients from four major metastatic ccRCC trial data sets and assessed the association of the 15G score with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in different treatment groups. The study found that a high 15G score was associated with significantly worse PFS in four of the six treatment groups, and the 15G score was independently prognostic in metastatic ccRCC among patients receiving different systemic therapy regimens.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers from Michigan Medicine developed and validated a 15-gene prognostic signature (15G score) for localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
  • The 15G score was applied to patients with metastatic ccRCC, analyzing 2,121 patients from four major metastatic ccRCC trial data sets.
  • In four out of six treatment groups, a high 15G score was associated with significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS).
  • The 15G score was independently prognostic in metastatic ccRCC among patients receiving different systemic therapy regimens.
  • The study found associations between the 15G score and overall survival (OS) in selected treatment groups.
  • The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Advanced Training in Urologic Oncology Grant, Clark Family Fellowship in Kidney Cancer Research, and the University of Michigan Health System-Peking University Health Science Center (UMHS-PUHSC) Joint Institute.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in JCO Precision Oncology on September 9, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 2,121 patients from four major metastatic ccRCC trial data sets were analyzed.
  • Four out of six treatment groups showed associations between the 15G score and significantly worse PFS.
  • Hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS were: 1.7 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.2) for atezolizumab plus bevacizumab; 1.7 (1.4-2.0) for sunitinib; 2.8 (95% CI, 1.6 to 4.9) for atezolizumab; and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.2) for everolimus.
  • The 15G score was independently prognostic in metastatic ccRCC among patients receiving different systemic therapy regimens.

Sources:

  • Validation of a 15-gene Prognostic Signature In Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. JCO Precision Oncology, 2025;9(9).
  • NewsRx. Findings from Michigan Medicine in the Area of Carcinomas Described (Validation of a 15-gene Prognostic Signature In Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma). Immunotherapy Weekly. July 9, 2025; p 1573.

Read more