Chromophobe
kidney cancer accounts for approximately 5% of cases of
renal cell carcinoma (RCC). While the genetics of clear cell RCC has been a major focus of research, little is known about the biology of chromophobe
tumors. There is ample preclinical rationale for the use of targeted
therapy in clear cell
tumors, and agents targeting the VHL/HIF pathway are now widely used in clinical practice. However, there is limited experience with targeted agents in non-clear cell
tumors. Recently, a few case reports have emerged which report the use of
mTOR inhibitors in chromophobe
tumors. Here, we report our experience with targeted
therapy in a patient with advanced chromophobe RCC who had a durable partial response to
temsirolimus. We also include a literature review summarizing the published experience with targeted therapeutic approaches in chromophobe RCC. Additionally, the preclinical rationale for the use of
mTOR inhibitors in this population based on our characterization of the hereditary form of chromophobe
kidney cancer,
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, is discussed.