Clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Isoform-specific roles of caveolin-1 and development of novel photodynamic therapy approaches

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. This thesis examined the role of caveolin-1, a protein involved in cell membrane organization and cell signaling, and asked whether its different forms have different effects on kidney cancer cells.

Kidney cancer cell models were used in which caveolin-1 gene was disrupted and then individual forms of the protein were restored. The results showed that the effects of caveolin-1 depended both on the specific form of the caveolin-1 protein and on the ccRCC cell context. The different forms were associated with changes in cell movement, the release of extracellular vesicles, and proteins involved in cell adhesion and signaling. In contrast, overall cell growth was largely similar between the tested cell lines. These findings suggest that the different forms of caveolin-1 are not functionally identical and may contribute differently to kidney cancer biology.

A second part of the thesis explored a light-based treatment approach using gold nanoclusters supported by cellulose nanocrystals. Some of these nanomaterials produced increased oxidative activity and reduced cancer cell growth after exposure to 405 nm light. Photodynamic activity was also observed in a chicken embryo membrane model. These experiments provide proof of concept that light-activated nanomaterials could be further developed as a possible strategy for kidney cancer treatment.