Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 2–3% of all malignant tumors, and its prevalence is rising. Metastatic RCC accounts for 25–30% of all RCC cases, and has an exceedingly poor prognosis. The potential therapeutic effects of vitexin on sunitinib-resistant RCC remain largely unexplored, and the molecular mechanisms by which vitexin may overcome such resistance are not yet understood. As a practicing urologist in Taiwan, I recognize the clinical urgency of addressing drug resistance in RCC and believe this issue warrants deeper investigation. Therefore, the objective of this project is to elucidate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in vitexin’s anti-tumor effects in RCC, with a particular focus on sunitinib-resistant cells. By understanding the molecular basis of sunitinib resistance and how vitexin may reverse or bypass these mechanisms, this study aims to contribute valuable insights into the development of novel therapeutic strategies for drug-resistant RCC.

In this pilot study, we established a sunitinib-resistant RCC cancer cell line (Sun-R-786O) as a platform to search for feasible anticancer drugs.

Our data indicate that Vitexin (apigenin-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside) is a bioactive flavonoid compound found in various traditional medicinal plants, including millet, fenugreek, and others, which is capable of inhibiting the viability of RCC cancer cells, including the resistant Sun-R-786O cell line. We also found that β-sitosterol can induce apoptosis and inhibit metastasis of Sun-R-786O cells.

In the future, we will examine the detail vitexin mechanism and also compare its efficacy with other potential drugs. This study has the potential to provide a drug screening platform and a solution for Sunitinib-resistant RCC cancer patients. This study has the potential to provide a drug screening platform and a solution for Sunitinib-resistant RCC cancer patients.