Renal cell carcinoma in the allograft: what is the role of polyomavirus?

Clinical characteristics of renal cell carcinoma in the transplanted kidney in renal transplant recipients: a systematic scoping review

Background

Renal transplant recipients confront a substantially elevated susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly in their native kidneys as opposed to allografts.

Methods

In this systematic scoping review, exhaustive searches were conducted of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Information was gathered on clinical manifestations, donor demographics, diagnostic intervals, tumor dimensions, histopathological characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes associated with RCC arising in allograft kidneys.

Results

The searches yielded a corpus of 42 case reports and 11 retrospective cohorts, encompassing a cohort of 274 patients. The majority of cases (75.4%) were clinically latent, discerned primarily through imaging modalities. Symptomatic presentations encompassed manifestations such as hematuria, elevated serum creatinine levels, abdominal discomfort, and graft-related pain. The mean temporal interval between renal transplantation and RCC diagnosis was calculated at 11.6 years, albeit displaying considerable variance. Notably, papillary and clear cell RCC emerged as the prevailing histopathological subtypes. However, the paucity of longitudinal follow-up data represents a notable caveat.

Conclusion

This investigation underscores the imperative of rigorous posttransplant surveillance regimes owing to the substantial prevalence of asymptomatic RCC instances. Future research should focus on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of screening practices to develop preventive strategies.

An Unusual Presentation of Metastatic BK Virus-Associated Urothelial Carcinoma Arising in the Allograft, Persisting After Transplant Nephrectomy

We report a 32-year-old male 14 years post-living-related kidney transplant presenting with new-onset hematuria and BK viremia. He was found to have BK virus-associated urothelial carcinoma originating in the renal allograft with locally advanced disease and metastases to multiple sites. He also developed acute T-cell-mediated rejection in the setting of immunosuppression reduction for BK viremia prior to undergoing transplant nephrectomy. Eight months following transplant nephrectomy and immunosuppression cessation, distant metastases persisted with partial response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here, we discuss this unique presentation and compare it with other BK virus-associated allograft carcinomas reported in the literature, in addition to discussing evidence for the role of BK virus in oncogenesis.

Exploring the mechanism of BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy through consensus gene network approach

BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy occurs in kidney transplant recipients under immunosuppressive treatment. BK polyomavirus is implicated in cancer development and invasion, and case reports of renal cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma possibly associated with BK polyomavirus has been reported. Further, it has been suggested that the immune responses of KT-related diseases could play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of renal cell carcinoma. Thus, we thought to examine the relationship between BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy and renal cell carcinoma in terms of gene expression. To identify the common and specific immune responses involved in kidney transplantation-related diseases with a specific focus on BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, we performed consensus weighted gene co-expression network analysis on gene profile datasets of renal biopsy samples from different institutions. After the identification of gene modules and validation of the obtained network by immunohistochemistry of the marker across kidney transplantation-related diseases, the relationship between prognosis of renal cell carcinoma and modules was assessed. We included the data from 248 patients and identified the 14 gene clusters across the datasets. We revealed that one cluster related to the translation regulating process and DNA damage response was specifically upregulated in BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy. There was a significant association between the expression value of hub genes of the identified cluster including those related to cGAS-STING pathway and DNA damage response, and the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma. The study suggested the potential link between kidney transplantation-related diseases, especially specific transcriptomic signature of BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy and renal cell carcinoma.

Management of renal cell carcinoma in transplant kidney: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

After transplantation, approximately 10% of renal cell carcinomas are detected in graft kidneys. These tumors (gRCC) present surgeons with the difficulty of finding a treatment that guarantees both oncological clearance and maintenance of function. We conducted a systematic review and an individual patient data meta-analysis on the oncology, safety and functional outcomes of the available treatments for gRCC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic search was performed across MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science including any study reporting perioperative, functional and survival outcomes for patients undergoing graft nephrectomy (GN), partial nephrectomy (PN) or thermal ablation (TA) for gRCC. Quade's ANCOVA, Spearman Rho and Pearson χ², Kaplan-Meier, Log-rank and Standard Cox regression and other tests were used to compare treatments. Studies' quality was evaluated using a modified version of Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A number of 29 studies (357 patients) were included. No differences between TA and PN were found in terms of safety, functional and oncological outcomes for T1a gRCCs. When applied to pT1b gRCC, PN showed no difference in complications, progression or cancer-specific deaths compared to smaller lesions; PN validity for pT2 gRCCs should be considered unverified due to lack of sufficient evidence. The efficacy and safety of PN or TA for multiple gRCC remain controversial. In case of non-functioning, large (T≥2), complicated or metastatic gRCCs, GN appears to be the most reasonable choice. Quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Studies with large cohorts and longer follow-up are still needed to clarify oncological and functional differences.

CONCLUSIONS

PN and TA might be offered as a nephron-sparing treatment in patients with T1a gRCC. There is no significant difference between these options and GN in terms of oncological outcomes and complications. PN and TA offer similar functional outcomes and graft preservation. PN for T1b gRCC seems feasible and safe, but its validity should be considered unverified.

The Influence of Oncogenic Viruses in Renal Carcinogenesis: Pros and Cons

Viral infections are major contributors to the global cancer burden. Recent advances have revealed that known oncogenic viruses promote carcinogenesis through shared host cell targets and pathways. The aim of this review is to point out the connection between several oncogenic viruses from the Polyomaviridae, Herpesviridae and Flaviviridae families and renal carcinogenesis, highlighting their involvement in the carcinogenic mechanism. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases, which was carried out for all the published studies on RCC in the last 10 years, using the following search algorithm: renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma, and oncogenic viruses (BKPyV, EBV, HCV, HPV and Kaposi Sarcoma Virus), RCC and biomarkers, immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our analysis included studies that were published in English from the 1st of January 2012 to the 1st of May 2022 and that described and analyzed the assays used for the detection of oncogenic viruses in RCC and urothelial carcinoma. The virus most frequently associated with RCC was BKPyV. This review of the literature will help to understand the pathogenic mechanism of the main type of renal malignancy and whether the viral etiology can be confirmed, at a minimum, as a co-factor. In consequence, these data can contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies. A virus-induced tumor could be efficiently prevented by vaccination or treatment with oncolytic viral therapy and/or by targeted therapy.

Renal cell carcinoma and viral infections: A dangerous relationship?

Virus-related cancers in humans are widely recognized, but in the case of renal cancer, the link with the world of viruses is not clearly established in humans, despite being known in animal biology. In the present review, we aimed to explore the literature on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for a possible role of viruses in human RCC tumorigenesis and immune homeostasis, hypothesizing the contribution of viruses to the immunogenicity of this tumor. A scientific literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases with the keywords “virus” or “viruses” or “viral infection” matched with (“AND”) “renal cell carcinoma” or “kidney cancer” or “renal cancer” or “renal carcinoma” or “renal tumor” or “RCC”. The retrieved findings evidenced two main aspects testifying to the relationship between RCC and viruses: The presence of viruses within the tumor, especially in non-clear cell RCC cases, and RCC occurrence in cases with pre-existing chronic viral infections. Some retrieved translational and clinical data suggest the possible contribution of viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, to the marked immunogenicity of sarcomatoid RCC. In addition, it was revealed the possible role of endogenous retrovirus reactivation in RCC oncogenesis, introducing new fascinating hypotheses about this tumor’s immunogenicity and likeliness of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

[Renal cell carcinoma of the kidney transplant: The French guidelines from CTAFU]

OBJECTIVE

To propose recommendations for the management of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) of the renal transplant.

METHOD

Following a systematic approach, a review of the literature (Medline) was conducted by the CTAFU to evaluate prevalence, diagnosis and management of RCC arousing in the renal transplant. References were assessed according to a predefined process to propose recommendations with levels of evidence.

RESULTS

Renal cell carcinomas of the renal transplant affect approximately 0.2% of recipients. Mostly asymptomatic, these tumors are mainly diagnosed on a routine imaging of the renal transplant. Predominant pathology is clear cell carcinomas but papillary carcinomas are more frequent than in general population (up to 40-50%). RCC of the renal transplant is often localized, of low stage and low grade. According to tumor characteristics and renal function, preferred treatment is radical (transplantectomy) or nephron sparing through partial nephrectomy (open or minimally invasive approach) or thermoablation after percutaneous biopsy. Although no robust data support a switch of immunosuppressive regimen, some authors suggest to favor the use of mTOR inhibitors. CTAFU does not recommend a mandatory waiting time after transplantectomy for RCC in candidates for a subsequent renal tranplantation when tumor stage<T3 and low ISUP grade.

CONCLUSION

These French recommendations should contribute to improving the oncological and functional prognosis of renal transplant recipients by improving the management of RCC of the renal transplant.

Immunologic Clearance of a BK Virus-associated Metastatic Renal Allograft Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Metastatic carcinoma of a renal allograft is a rare but life threatening event with a difficult clinical management. Recent reports suggested a potential role of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) in the development of urologic tract malignancies in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

We investigated a kidney-pancreas female recipient with an history of BKPyV nephritis who developed a rapidly progressive and widely metastatic donor-derived renal carcinoma 9 years after transplantation.

RESULTS

Histology and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed a donor-derived (XY tumor cells) collecting (Bellini) duct carcinoma. The presence of BKPyV oncogenic large tumor antigen was identified in large amount within the kidney tumor and the bowel metastases. Whole genome sequencing of the tumor confirmed multiple genome BKPyV integrations. The transplanted kidney was removed, immunosuppression was withdrawn, and recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) was administered for 3 months, inducing a complete tumor clearance, with no evidence of disease at 6-year follow-up. The immunological profiling during IL-2 therapy revealed the presence of donor-specific T cells and expanded cytokine-producing bright natural killer cells but no donor-specific antibodies. Finally, we found persistently elevated anti-BK virus IgG titers and a specific anti-BKPyV T cell response.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation showed evidence for the potential oncogenic role of BKPyV in collecting duct carcinoma in renal allografts and demonstrated that immunosuppression withdrawal and IL-2 therapy can lead to an efficient antitumor cellular mediated rejection possibly via 3 distinct mechanisms including (1) host-versus-graft, (2) host-versus-tumor, and (3) anti-BKPyV responses.

Total nephroureterocystectomy and urethrectomy due to urothelial carcinoma associated with the BK polyomavirus infection after kidney transplantation: a case report with literature review

Background

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection after kidney transplantation is an important cause of graft failure among kidney transplant recipient and may cause malignant tumor, although the association between BKPyV infection and malignant tumor has been controversial yet.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 39-year-old-male kidney transplantation (KTx) recipient with urine BKPyV replication who developed a graft pelvic tumor with the positive Simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40 TAg). The patients received a living-related KTx from his 65-year-old mother. A protocol biopsy at 14 months after KTx showed BKPyV-associated nephropathy. Therefore, the dose of immunosuppressants was reduced, resulting in improved BKPyV viremia, but viruria persisted. About 117 months after KTx, urine cytology showed atypical cells suspicious for malignancy. Cystoscopy revealed a tumor on the neck of the bladder. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT) was performed; however, the diagnosis of malignancy was not confirmed at that time. Six months after the TUR-BT, urine cytology showed atypical cells definite for malignancy. Computed tomography and retrograde pyelography showed no evidence of urinary tract tumor and metastasis. Subsequently, total nephroureterocystectomy and urethrectomy were performed. Histological examination of the graft ureter revealed a high-grade urothelial carcinoma, with glandular differentiation, pT1. Immunohistochemically, the tumor showed positivities for SV40 TAg and p53, along with increased Ki67 labeling cells were increased. By contrast, nonneoplastic cells were negative for SV40 TAg. At the time of writing the present manuscript, the patient is free from recurrence or residual tumor and being closely monitored without additional therapy, 32 months after the surgery.

Conclusion

The relationship between BKPyV infection after KTx and bladder carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated. However, when the KTx recipients who continue to have BKPyV infection for a long time are treated, the possibility of risk factors for renourinary carcinoma should always be carefully considered.

Pathogenicity of BK virus on the urinary system

Introduction

The polyomaviruses are omnipresent in nature. The major sites of BK virus appearance are the kidney tubular epithelial cells and urinary bladder surface transitional cells.

Material and methods

A literature search according to PRISMA guidelines within the Medline database was conducted in July 2019 for articles presenting data about BK virus in urologic aspect without setting time limits, using the terms ‘BK virus’ in conjunction with transplantation, nephropathy, stenosis, cancer, bladder, prostate, kidney.

Results

The BK virus usually stays latent, however, its replication may become active in various clinical situations of impaired immunocompetence such as solid organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, AIDS, pregnancy, multiple sclerosis, administration of chemotherapy or biologic therapy. BK virus is associated with two main complications after transplantation: polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in kidney transplant patients and polyomavirus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

Conclusions

The aim of this article was to present available data on urologic aspects of BK virus infection, its detection methods and available treatment.

Clinicopathologic Characterization of Post-Renal Transplantation BK Polyomavirus-Associated Urothelial CarcinomaSingle Institutional Experience

OBJECTIVES

To review rare cases of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) associated urologic carcinomas in kidney transplant recipients at one institution and in the literature.

METHODS

We describe the clinicopathologic features of BKPyV-associated urologic carcinomas in a single-institution cohort.

RESULTS

Among 4,772 kidney recipients during 1994 to 2014, 26 (0.5%) and 26 (0.5%) developed posttransplantation urothelial carcinomas (UCs) and renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), respectively, as of 2017. Six (27%) UCs but none of the RCCs expressed large T antigen (TAg). TAg-expressing UCs were high grade with p16 and p53 overexpression (P < .05 compared to TAg-negative UCs). Tumor genome sequencing revealed BKPyV integration and a lack of pathogenic mutations in 50 cancer-relevant genes. Compared to TAg-negative UCs, TAg-expressing UCs more frequently presented at advanced stages (50% T3-T4) with lymph node involvement (50%) and higher UC-specific mortality (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-renal transplantation BKPyV-associated UCs are aggressive and genetically distinct from most non-BKPyV-related UCs.

Treatment for presumed BK polyomavirus nephropathy and risk of urinary tract cancers among kidney transplant recipients in the United States

Recent case series describe detection of BK polyomavirus (BKV) in urinary tract cancers in kidney transplant recipients, suggesting that BKV could contribute to the development of these cancers. We assessed risk for urinary tract cancers in kidney recipients with or without treatment for presumed BKV nephropathy (tBKVN) using data from the United States Transplant Cancer Match Study (2003-2013). Among 55 697 included recipients, 2015 (3.6%) were reported with tBKVN. Relative to the general population, incidence was similarly elevated (approximately 4.5-fold) for kidney cancer in recipients with or without tBKVN, and incidence was not increased in either group for prostate cancer. In contrast, for invasive bladder cancer, incidence was more strongly elevated in recipients with versus without tBKVN (standardized incidence ratios 4.5 vs. 1.7; N = 48 cases), corresponding to an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 2.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-8.2), adjusted for sex, age, transplant year, and use of polyclonal antibody induction. As a result, recipients with tBKVN had borderline increased incidence for all urothelial cancers combined (renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder cancers: adjusted IRR 2.2, 95% CI 0.9-5.4; N = 89 cases). Together with reports describing BKV detection in tumor tissues, these results support an association between BKV and urothelial carcinogenesis among kidney transplant recipients.

Coinfection with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Polyoma BK Virus (BKPyV) in Laryngeal, Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity Cancer

Most research providing evidence for the role of oncogenic viruses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development is focused on one type of virus without analyzing possible interactions between two or more types of viruses. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of co-infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and polyoma BK virus (BKPyV) in oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas in Polish patients. The correlations between viral infection, SCC, demographic parameters, evidence of metastases and grading were also investigated. Fresh-frozen tumour tissue samples were collected from 146 patients with laryngeal, oropharyngeal and oral cancer. After DNA extraction, the DNA of the studied viruses was detected using polymerase chain rection (PCR) assay. Males (87.7%) with a history of smoking (70.6%) and alcohol abuse (59.6%) prevailed in the studied group. Histological type G2 was recognized in 64.4% cases. The patients were most frequently diagnosed with T2 stage (36.3%) and with N1 stage (45.8%). Infection with at least two viruses was detected in 56.2% of patients. In this group, co-infection with HPV/EBV was identified in 34.1% of cases, EBV/BKV in 23.2%, HPV/BKV in 22.0%, and HPV/EBV/BKV in 20.7%. No difference of multiple infection in different locations of cancer was observed. The prevalence of poorly differentiated tumours (G3) was more frequent in co-infection with all three viruses than EBV or BKV alone. A significant correlation was observed between tumour dimensions (T) and lymph-node involvement (N) in co-infected patients compared to single infection. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether co-infection plays an important role in the initiation and/or progression of oncogenic transformation of oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal epithelial cells.

BK nephropathy in the native kidneys of patients with organ transplants: Clinical spectrum of BK infection

Nephropathy secondary to BK virus, a member of the Papoviridae family of viruses, has been recognized for some time as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. In recent times, BK nephropathy (BKN) of the native kidneys has being increasingly recognized as a cause of chronic kidney disease in patients with solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants and in patients with other clinical entities associated with immunosuppression. In such patients renal dysfunction is often attributed to other factors including nephrotoxicity of medications used to prevent rejection of the transplanted organs. Renal biopsy is required for the diagnosis of BKN. Quantitation of the BK viral load in blood and urine are surrogate diagnostic methods. The treatment of BKN is based on reduction of the immunosuppressive medications. Several compounds have shown antiviral activity, but have not consistently shown to have beneficial effects in BKN. In addition to BKN, BK viral infection can cause severe urinary bladder cystitis, ureteritis and urinary tract obstruction as well as manifestations in other organ systems including the central nervous system, the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system and the hematopoietic system. BK viral infection has also been implicated in tumorigenesis. The spectrum of clinical manifestations from BK infection and infection from other members of the Papoviridae family is widening. Prevention and treatment of BK infection and infections from other Papovaviruses are subjects of intense research.

The oncogenic potential of BK-polyomavirus is linked to viral integration into the human genome

It has been suggested that BK-polyomavirus is linked to oncogenesis via high expression levels of large T-antigen in some urothelial neoplasms arising following kidney transplantation. However, a causal association between BK-polyomavirus, large T-antigen expression and oncogenesis has never been demonstrated in humans. Here we describe an investigation using high-throughput sequencing of tumour DNA obtained from an urothelial carcinoma arising in a renal allograft. We show that a novel BK-polyomavirus strain, named CH-1, is integrated into exon 26 of the myosin-binding protein C1 gene (MYBPC1) on chromosome 12 in tumour cells but not in normal renal cells. Integration of the BK-polyomavirus results in a number of discrete alterations in viral gene expression, including: (a) disruption of VP1 protein expression and robust expression of large T-antigen; (b) preclusion of viral replication; and (c) deletions in the non-coding control region (NCCR), with presumed alterations in promoter feedback loops. Viral integration disrupts one MYBPC1 gene copy and likely alters its expression. Circular episomal BK-polyomavirus gene sequences are not found, and the renal allograft shows no productive polyomavirus infection or polyomavirus nephropathy. These findings support the hypothesis that integration of polyomaviruses is essential to tumourigenesis. It is likely that dysregulation of large T-antigen, with persistent over-expression in non-lytic cells, promotes cell growth, genetic instability and neoplastic transformation.

Renal cell carcinoma in functional renal graft: Toward ablative treatments

The occurrence of a kidney transplant tumor is a rare but serious issue with a double risk: the return to dialysis and the development of metastatic cancer. Publications on this topic are mainly case reports. The purpose of this review was to report an exhaustive literature review of functional graft renal cell carcinomas to highlight the impact of tumors on the renal graft outcomes. 201 de novo renal carcinomas in functional renal grafts from 69 publications were included. Incidence was estimated at 0.18%. Graft tumors were mostly asymptomatic (85.9%). Whatever the discovery circumstances of graft tumors, they were mostly documented by graft ultrasounds supplemented by CT-scanning or MR imaging. Nephron sparing surgery (95 patients) was the first treatment performed followed by radiofrequency ablation (38 patients) and cryotherapy (10 patients). The most common tumor graft histology was clear cell carcinoma (46.4%), followed by papillary carcinoma (43.7%). Specific mortality was 2.9% with 6 deaths. Renal graft cell carcinoma is a rare pathology with a low specific death. When possible, conservative treatment should be the first choice.

Small Circular DNAs in Human Pathology

In general, human pathogen-related small circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules are bacterial plasmids and a group of viral genomes. Plasmids are extra-chromosomal small circular DNAs that are capable of replicating independently of the host, and are present throughout a variety of different microorganisms, most notably bacteria. While plasmids are not essential components of the host, they can impart an assortment of survival enhancing genes such as for fertility, drug resistance, and toxins. Furthermore, plasmids are of particular interest to molecular biology especially in relation to gene-cloning. Among viruses, genomes of anelloviruses, papillomaviruses, and polyomaviruses consist of small circular DNA. The latter two virus families are known for their potential roles in a number of pathogenic processes. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are now widely recognised to be associated with a greatly increased risk of cervical cancer, especially oncogenic strains 16 and 18. On the other hand, human cells may contain several types of small circular DNA molecules including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The mitochondrial genome consists of 37 genes that encode for proteins of the oxidation phosphorylation system, transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs), and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). Though mitochondria can replicate independently of the host; nuclear DNA does encode for several mitochondrial proteins. Mutations in mtDNA contribute to some well characterised diseases; mtDNA is also implicated in several diseases and malignancies with poorly elucidated aetiologies. Furthermore, mtDNA can function as a diagnostic tool. Other extra-chromosomal circular DNAs are usually detected in cancer. This review article is intended to provide an overview of four broad categories of small circular DNAs that are present in non-eukaryotic (plasmids and relevant viral genomes) and eukaryotic (mtDNA and other extra-chromosomal DNAs) systems with reference to human diseases, particularly cancer. For this purpose, a literature search has been carried out mainly from PubMed. Improved understanding of the significance of small circular DNA molecules is expected to have far reaching implications in many fields of medicine.