Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) comprises 3–4% of all malignant tumours among adults in Poland. Spontaneous regression of RCC is a rare but well-known phenomenon. Its frequency is estimated to be approximately 1% and a large part of the percentage is accounted for by the regression of pulmonary metastases in the course of clear type of RCC treatment. We searched PubMed, Embase and SciVerse Scopus databases, identifying 59 case reports of spontaneous regression of RCC. Those medical histories come from reports from around the world and date back up to 40 years. This review includes their analysis as well as description of possible explanations of this phenomenon postulated by different authors, including both misdiagnosis and immunological reactions. This study indicates that reliable diagnostics and reporting of all the cases of spontaneous regression play a key role, as this is the only method which enables a better perspective in understanding this issue.

Introduction

The phenomenon of spontaneous regression of cancer was described by many authors in relation to many types of neoplasms over the last century [1, 2]. One of the most frequently reported malignancies in those reviews was renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Renal cell carcinoma makes up 3–4% of all malignant tumours among adults in Poland. The dominant subtype is clear cell RCC, whose occurrence is estimated to represent more than 85% of all RCC cases [3]. According to many reviews describing spontaneous regression, RCC is one of the most frequent types of malignant neoplasm related to this phenomenon. The rate of spontaneous regression of RCC versus other malignancies is estimated to be several times higher [4]. The frequency of spontaneous regression in RCC patients is estimated to be approximately 1% [5]. Since the first publication by Bumpus in 1928, many authors have tried to analyse and explain this phenomenon. Each year new cases of spontaneous regression of RCC are documented in the literature worldwide. We analysed over 50 medical histories dating back up to 40 years and gathered information that would possibly explain this phenomenon.

Spontaneous regression

Spontaneous regression is defined as the partial or complete disappearance of a tumour without any treatment or with treatment which is generally perceived as irrelevant to the progression of cancer [1]. It is important to emphasize that this definition does not necessarily mean a complete cure of the cancer, but rather the inhibition of the progression or disappearance of metastases. The number of cases of spontaneous regression in RCC is estimated to be between 0.4% and 4%, but in the majority of publications it is approximated to 1% of all the cases of renal cancer [6]. Many of the authors classify regression into at least 4 types of spontaneous regression: regression of primary tumour, regression of metastases (with or without pathological confirmation), prolonged remission, and delayed metastases [1]. The number of cases in each type differs significantly. The majority of cases concern regression of metastases, whereas regression of primary tumour and delayed metastases are small groups with several cases (Table 1). We have not found any report on prolonged remission of RCC. Almost all reported cases concern clear cell RCC with a few exceptions. Unfortunately, not all the cases had sufficiently extensive follow-up; it varies between 1 year and 16 years.

Table 1.

Summary of all reported cases of spontaneous regression of RCC from 1971 to 2011

Type of regression	Organs	Number of reports	Number of cases
Regression of primary tumour	kidney	4	5
Delayed metastases	lungs	5	5
	pancreas	1	1
Regression of metastases	lungs	27	30
	lungs, adrenal gland	1	1
	lungs, bones	1	1
	lungs, brain	1	1
	lungs, pleura	1	1
	lungs, scalp	1	1
	liver	4	4
	bones	2	2
	bones, liver	1	1
	choroid	2	2
	pleura	2	2
	brain	1	1
	pancreas	1	1
	total	55	59

Regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Among all RCC cases, metastasis occurs in about a third of them, with the overall survival not exceeding 12 months when untreated, while less then 10% of these cases have a 5-year survival [7]. Regression of metastatic sites included mainly the lungs, then: the liver, the bones, the adrenal glands, the pleura, the brain, the choroid, and the pancreas (Fig. 1). Detailed data are presented in Table 1. The majority of metastases regressed spontaneously after nephrectomy or embolization of the primary tumour. The interval between nephrectomy and noticeable regression differs among all cases – it followed after days, weeks, months or even a year. It is important to emphasize that metastases from RCC were diagnosed either by histological examination or they were presumed radiologically. Only some of the patients received steroids or hormone therapy, but this kind of treatment is perceived as palliative. Recently there have been reported cases of metastasis regression after a short course of treatment with sunitinib (multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor).

Fig. 1.

The most frequently affected organs in metastatic RCC

Regression of primary renal tumour

The reported cases of regression of primary tumour were associated either with previous haemorrhage into tumour [8] or with renal vein emboli [9]. The lesions observed in the tumours on pathological examination which have spontaneously regressed were usually: fibrosis, hyalinization, calcification or ossification [10]. The diagnosis of RCC was often based on thorough sampling of the specimen and sometimes established only on the basis of immunohistochemical staining. The characteristic antigens expressed on RCC cells are keratins, epithelial mucin antibody, carcinoembryonic antigen and vimentin [11].

Delayed metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma has a very high tendency to metastasize, with the lesions appearing shortly after an early diagnosis. Therefore delayed metastases are perceived as a kind of regression. We found 5 cases of delayed pulmonary metastases which occurred from 9 to 300 months after the diagnosis [12–16]. There was also a history of 20 years delayed pancreatic metastasis in this group [17]. All cases were preceded by nephrectomy and most of the metastases were located in lungs. The pathological confirmation of the tumour characteristics was obtained in each case. Most of the lesions were detected accidentally during the postoperative follow-up.

True or illusion?

Despite the fact that cases of spontaneous regression of RCC have been reported from over the last 80 years, it is important to consider all the uncertainties associated with this phenomenon. Keilholz divides these factors into 3:

• related to wrong diagnosis;

• related to lack of histological confirmation;

• related to incorrect interpretation of simultaneous changes in the patients’ condition [18].

In most reviews considering this issue, these problems are mentioned. A majority of cases of spontaneous regression pertain to pulmonary metastases – which without histological confirmation might be illusive. Pulmonary infarcts caused by e.g. emboli may mimic metastases in lungs on radiographic scans, a fact that can lead to a false conclusion of the disappearance of cancer [19].

Lack of reliable data

There are also other noticeable difficulties with reporting the phenomenon of spontaneous regression. Hobohm emphasizes the impossibility of describing cases of regression due to the physician's unawareness or unwillingness. He also blames a situation when a patient does not come for follow-up visits, causing lack of his medical history [20]. The subclinical stage of disease may also be responsible for some of the cases of spontaneous regression, especially those associated with delayed metastases. Moreover, the number of reported cases is insufficient for the conduction of any detailed survey or the identification of any definite explanations of this phenomenon. Most of the reports do not include any kind of interpretation of spontaneous regression.

Genetic factors

The fact that the mutation of the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene pertains to the majority of cases of RCC is well known. Mutations of the VHL tumour suppressor gene occurred both in sporadic RCC as well as in a hereditary cancer syndrome. This genetic change leads to increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor, which results in a higher tendency of cancer invasion. It is impossible to decide which genetic or epigenetic factors are associated with the phenomenon of spontaneous regression. Unfortunately, the lack of complex molecular analysis of regressed tumours makes the investigation difficult. The postulated molecular mechanism is apparently linked to the process of apoptosis induced by different cellular or extracellular changes.

Evidence and hypotheses

A majority of cases of spontaneous regression are associated with kidney resection. Undoubtedly, nephrectomy is the gold standard treatment for RCC and plays an important role in the induction of regression. The same is mentioned in the guidelines of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Genito-Urinary Tract Cancer Group from 2009, it has also been noted that: “Nephrectomy is an important component of the multimodality treatment of metastatic RCC. This procedure induces spontaneous regression of metastases in a small number of patients [Level 4]” [21]. However, in a majority of articles, spontaneous regression is perceived as not necessarily related to nephrectomy [22]. The resection of the primary tumour results in elimination of substances secreted by the neoplasm (i.e. growth or anti-apoptotic factors) and suppresses the progression of cancer. Moreover, the removal of the cancer enables the immune system to defend the organism by depletion of the load of cancer antigens [23]. The dissemination of tumour cells which may occur in the course of resection might initiate higher antigen exposure, which could result in an anti-tumour response of the immune system [6].

Since the appearance of the first reported case of spontaneous regression of RCC, the immune mechanism was postulated as being responsible for regression. Riese et al. distinguished various aetiological factors, which include:

• unexpected self-healing host mechanism,

• changes induced by hormone alterations or by trauma (e.g. fever, infection, surgery) [6].

The same factors are mentioned in other studies on this issue. The link between spontaneous regression of the tumour and the response to the treatment with cytokines is noticeable not only in RCC cases but also in malignant melanomas. Many authors accentuate the role of inflammation caused by bacterial infections or the role of non-specific inflammatory stimuli. It seems important to mention that several dozen patients who experienced spontaneous regression of cancer had an incidence of a major feverish infection during the course of the disease [20]. It should be taken into consideration that activation of the immune system by various provocative stimuli can result in overcoming the condition of tumour tolerance. It has been observed that in the case of the simultaneous occurrence of RCC and autoimmunological disease, the regression of RCC is accompanied by the worsening of the latter. This can be shown by a case where a patient with psoriasis and metastatic RCC underwent nephrectomy after which a spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastases was observed simultaneously with the exacerbation of psoriasis [24]. The incidence of the intensification of the autoimmune disease (triggered by infection or other factors) may confirm the linkage between the spontaneous cancer regression and activation of the immune system.

Role of cytokine therapy

The last 5 years have completely changed the pharmacotherapy of metastatic RCC with the appearance of new molecular targeted drugs. Previously, cytokine therapy consisting of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-α (IFN-α) was used. The administration of IL-2 and IFN-α was associated with low rates of response and high toxicity; however, the combination of those agents with new therapies is still in use. Interleukin-2 is responsible for the mobilization of immune effector cells in order to destroy cancer (Fig. 2). This cytokine causes an expansion of regulatory cells which modifies the immune response. Interferon-α induces expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules and tumour-associated antigens as well as enhancing the function of T-cell and dendritic cells (DC). Dendritic cells belong to antigen-presenting cells, which are able to activate an inflammatory anti-tumour reaction. Schwaab et al., who worked on intranodal autologous tumour lysate-dendritic cell vaccine with IL-2 and IFN-α2a therapy, noticed that the time of clinical response for this treatment differed among patients, suggesting the variance of predispositions toward immune responsiveness [25]. It is also worth mentioning that the role of the relative increase in the number of elements of the immune system is more valuable than the absolute increase. It pertains especially to natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells [26]. All those facts and findings validate the undeniable role of the immune system in RCC regression.

Fig. 2.

The role of the immune response in tumour rejection

Psychological aspects

Some authors have mentioned an association of a psychological mechanism with spontaneous regression of the tumour. It is impossible to exclude this explanation, but it seems plausible only if combined with the endocrine and immune system theory [2]. Measurement of the influence of psychopathological variables on the regression of cancer is nearly impossible, although there are some reports which indicate that stress inhibits cellular immune responses associated with natural killer cells and T-cells [27].

Summary

Spontaneous regression of RCC tumours is a well-known phenomenon, described by many investigators. Despite many reports and many hypotheses, at present we cannot accentuate one possible explanation for this oncological phenomenon. Reliable diagnostics and reporting of all the cases of spontaneous regression play a key role, as this is the only method which enables a better perspective in understanding this issue. Due to the new standards of treatment of metastatic RCC (nephrectomy and pharmacotherapy) it may seem impossible to investigate this problem, but new cases are still documented. A deep analysis of each case is necessary, as it would show some similarities in the cases.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.