These are reviewed studies whose abstracts concern Clear Cell Carcinoma. Each describes only what that study reported. This is not a claim by OncoForge that any compound helps or harms Clear Cell Carcinoma. Most are early lab, animal, or small human studies, and findings often conflict.
Human · observationalMechanismMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 923
The journal of pathology. Clinical research · Mar 2026 · immunohistochemical study on tissue microarrays using the VENTANA FOLR1 CDx assay with standardized scoring criteria
tubo-ovarian tumorsendometrial tumorshigh-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC)low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC)endometrial serous carcinomaserous borderline tumorendometrioid ovarian carcinomaclear cell ovarian carcinomamucinous ovarian tumorssex cord-stromal tumorsendometrial endometrioid carcinomasundifferentiated carcinomadedifferentiated carcinomaendometrial clear cell carcinoma
The study examined folate receptor alpha (FRα) expression by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays of 923 tubo-ovarian and endometrial tumors using the VENTANA FOLR1 CDx assay and standardized scoring. They found FRα expression most commonly in serous carcinomas (45% of HGSC, 25% LGSC) and less commonly in some endometrial serous and serous borderline tumors, while many other ovarian and endometrial tumor types were negative or rarely positive. The work is descriptive and does not report clinical outcomes or functional testing.
Reported effects: HGSC positive cases 45% · Low-grade serous carcinoma positive cases 25% · +4 more
Key findings
- HGSC (high-grade serous carcinoma): 45% positive cases
- Low-grade serous carcinoma: 25% positive cases
- Endometrial serous carcinoma: 11% positive cases
- Serous borderline tumor: 10% positive cases
- Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma: 2% positive cases
- Clear cell ovarian carcinoma: 1% positive cases
- Mucinous ovarian tumors, sex cord-stromal tumors, endometrial endometrioid carcinomas, undifferentiated and dedifferentiated carcinomas, and endometrial clear cell carcinomas were reported as negative
Limitations: Descriptive immunohistochemistry only — no functional assays or correlation with clinical outcomes reported in the abstract; Use of tissue microarrays may under-represent intratumoral heterogeneity; Cross-sectional/tissue-based study without longitudinal or therapeutic response data.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveModerate evidenceTier 3 · early human
Scientific reports · Jan 2026 · Multi-omics retrospective analysis of public cohorts (TCGA, GTEx, CPTAC) with tissue microarray validation and bioinformatic functional analyses
kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC)
This study used multi-omics analyses of public datasets and tissue microarrays to evaluate IRF7 in cancers, focusing on kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). IRF7 was dysregulated across cancers and higher IRF7 expression in KIRC was associated with worse survival; tissue microarrays confirmed higher IRF7 in tumors versus normal tissue. Functional analyses linked IRF7 to immune checkpoints, T-cell activity, methylation, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and drug sensitivity. A KIRC-specific prognostic nomogram including IRF7 predicted overall survival with high accuracy.
Reported effects: KIRC differential expression p-value, p p < 0.001 · Association of elevated IRF7 expression with poor survival, p p < 0.01 · +1 more
Key findings
- IRF7 was dysregulated in 22 cancers (KIRC: p < 0.001).
- Elevated IRF7 expression in KIRC correlated with poor survival (p < 0.01).
- IRF7 expression associated with immune checkpoints, epigenetic modifiers, T-cell activity, and methylation.
- Functional analyses implicated IRF7 in fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and drug sensitivity.
- A KIRC-specific nomogram predicted overall survival with high accuracy.
- Tissue microarrays confirmed IRF7 overexpression in KIRC versus normal tissues (p < 0.001), linked to reduced survival.
Limitations: Observational, retrospective bioinformatic analysis without prospective validation.; Abstract does not report sample sizes, effect sizes, or metrics for the nomogram performance.; Association data cannot establish causality or therapeutic predictive value.; No functional in vivo experiments or interventional data reported in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Cancer treatment and research communications · Jan 2026 · Spatial transcriptomics profiling integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of tissues containing coexisting endometriosis and ovarian clear cell carcinoma regions
endometriosisovarian clear cell carcinomahigh-grade serous ovarian cancer
This study used spatial transcriptomics combined with single-cell RNA sequencing to compare molecular profiles of coexisting endometriosis and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) regions in human tissue. The authors report shared molecular features between EMS and OCCC, greater transcriptomic similarity of severe uterine EMS to OCCC than to HGSOC, and classification of OCCC-specific genes into EMS epithelial cell-specific and tumor microenvironment-related groups that are associated with pathways linked to progression, invasion, and metabolic reprogramming.
Key findings
- Spatial transcriptomic profiling revealed shared molecular features between OCCC and EMS, including overexpression of genes related to tissue development and apoptosis.
- Integration with scRNA-seq data showed severe uterine EMS exhibited greater transcriptomic similarities to OCCC than to non-EAOC ovarian cancer subtypes such as HGSOC.
- OCCC-specific genes were classified into EMS epithelial cell-specific and tumor microenvironment-related categories.
- Identified gene sets and categories are associated with pathways implicated in tumor progression, invasion, and metabolic reprogramming.
- Findings support a transcriptomic progression pathway from EMS to OCCC and provide molecular insights relevant to etiology, diagnostics, and potential targeted strategies.
Limitations: Sample size and cohort details are not reported in the abstract.; Observational, transcriptomic profiling only — correlative data that cannot establish causal malignant transformation.; No functional validation experiments (e.g., in vitro/in vivo perturbation) are reported in the abstract to confirm mechanistic roles of identified genes or pathways.; Generalizability is unclear because the abstract does not describe the number or diversity of patients/tissues analyzed..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Therapeutic advances in medical oncology · Dec 2025 · review
epithelial ovarian cancerhigh-grade serous ovarian cancerovarian clear cell carcinomaendometrioid ovarian carcinomamucinous ovarian carcinomalow-grade serous ovarian carcinomaovarian carcinosarcoma
This review describes the main genomic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer and how those differences may help match patients to targeted therapies. It highlights PARP inhibitors, MAPK pathway inhibitors, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugate approaches that are being investigated for specific ovarian cancer types. The article also notes that resistance to PARP inhibitors remains a problem and that more evidence is needed for effective combination therapies.
Key findings
- High-grade serous ovarian cancer is linked mainly to homologous recombination repair gene alterations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Ovarian clear cell carcinoma is associated with ARID1A and PIK3CA alterations; endometrioid ovarian carcinoma with PIK3CA and KRAS; mucinous ovarian carcinoma with CDKN2A and KRAS; and low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma with MAPK pathway genes such as BRAF and KRAS.
- PARP inhibitor therapy has improved survival for women with homologous recombination repair defects in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, but acquired resistance remains an issue.
- The review emphasizes that genomically targeted combination therapies are urgently needed and that some reported responses are preliminary.
Limitations: Review article only; no new experimental or clinical data presented in the abstract.; No quantitative outcomes or effect sizes are reported in the abstract.; The abstract is broad and does not provide trial-level details, sample sizes, or follow-up durations.; Some therapies discussed are preliminary and require further evidence..
The article is about ovarian cancer genomics and targeted therapies, not a single compound experiment.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 48
International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists · Nov 2025 · case series
mesonephric adenocarcinomamesonephric-like adenocarcinomaclear cell carcinomamesonephric carcinosarcoma
The authors performed Napsin-A immunohistochemistry on whole-slide sections from 48 mesonephric and mesonephric-like adenocarcinomas and carcinosarcomas. Napsin-A was positive in 17/48 cases (35.4%), with focal granular cytoplasmic staining in 1–40% of cells; positivity occurred in 13/32 MLAs, 2/13 MAs, and 2/3 carcinosarcomas. The study concludes that Napsin-A is expressed in a substantial subset of these tumors and that reliance on a single marker could lead to misclassification as clear cell carcinoma.
Reported effects: Napsin-A positive overall 35.4%, n=48 · Range of focal granular cytoplasmic expression · +3 more
Key findings
- Napsin-A staining was positive in 17 of 48 cases (35.4%), with focal granular cytoplasmic expression ranging from 1% to 40%.
- 13/32 (40.6%) mesonephric-like adenocarcinomas (MLAs) were Napsin-A positive.
- 2/13 (15.4%) mesonephric adenocarcinomas (MAs) were Napsin-A positive.
- 2/3 (66.7%) mesonephric or mesonephric-like carcinosarcomas were Napsin-A positive.
- Because of morphologic and immunohistochemical overlap, Napsin-A expression in MA/MLA may contribute to misclassification as clear cell carcinoma.
Limitations: Observational pathology series without reported clinical outcome correlation; Relatively small overall sample size and very small subgroup sizes (e.g., n=3 carcinosarcomas); Findings are based solely on immunohistochemistry on tissue sections; no clinical or molecular correlation reported in the abstract.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Animal studyReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animal
International immunopharmacology · Oct 2025 · in vitro cell experiments and mouse in vivo experiments with molecular assays (western blot, RT-PCR, RNA pull-down, RIP)
ovarian clear cell carcinoma
This laboratory study used cell-based assays and mouse models to test anti-PD-L1 treatment in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). The authors report that anti-PD-L1 showed effectiveness in OCCC, that PD-L1 is highly expressed and associated with proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and that the lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 binds HNRNPC and the ZFPM2-AS1/HNRNPC axis modulates the response to anti-PD-L1. The work is preclinical and uses molecular, cellular and animal experiments.
Key findings
- The study identified effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 treatment in OCCC (reported in vitro and in vivo).
- PD-L1 was highly expressed in OCCC and was closely related to proliferation, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.
- ZFPM2-AS1 was overexpressed in OCCC and can bind HNRNPC.
- The ZFPM2-AS1/HNRNPC axis participates in regulating the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 treatment.
Limitations: Preclinical study only (cellular assays and animal models); no human trial or clinical data reported in the abstract.; Abstract does not report sample sizes, numerical effect sizes, or statistical significance.; Details of experimental controls, doses, and treatment schedules are not provided in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Human · observationalMixed resultsModerate evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 390805
Gynecologic oncology · Sep 2025 · retrospective population-based registry analysis (SEER22, 2000-2019)
endometrial cancerendometrioid carcinomanon-endometrioid carcinomacarcinosarcomaclear cell carcinomaserous carcinomamixed carcinoma
This population-based study used SEER22 data from 2000–2019 (n=390,805) to estimate hysterectomy-corrected, age-specific incidence rates and five-year relative survival for individual endometrial cancer histotypes by race and ethnicity. It found that endometrioid carcinoma incidence was much higher in non-Hispanic White women aged 50+ (104.1 per 100,000) than in other groups, that non-endometrioid histotypes increased sharply around ages 50–54 (especially in non-Hispanic Black women), and that five-year relative survival was highest for endometrioid carcinomas (90.2%) and lower for other histotypes (range 39.6%–59.1%).
Reported effects: endometrioid carcinoma incidence rate, non-Hispanic White women ages 50+ (per 100,000) 104.1 · endometrioid carcinoma incidence rate, other groups ages 50+ (per 100,000) · +3 more
Key findings
- Estimated hysterectomy-corrected, age-specific incidence rates and five-year relative survival for endometrial cancer histotypes using SEER22 (N = 390,805).
- Endometrioid carcinoma rates were similar by race/ethnicity in younger women but much higher in non-Hispanic White women ages 50+ years (104.1 per 100,000) versus other groups (51.1-68.5).
- Non-endometrioid histotypes were rare in younger women, with mixed carcinomas being the most common among the non-endometrioid types.
- Carcinosarcoma, clear cell, and serous carcinoma rates increased sharply at ages 50-54, especially in non-Hispanic Black women.
- Median age at diagnosis was youngest in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander women, particularly for endometrioid carcinomas.
- Five-year relative survival: endometrioid carcinomas 90.2%; mixed carcinomas 77.0%; other non-endometrioid histotypes range 39.6%–59.1%.
Limitations: Observational registry study — cannot establish causal relationships between age/race/ethnicity and incidence or survival.; Potential for histotype or stage misclassification in registry data.; SEER lacks detailed individual-level risk factor, treatment, or molecular data to explain observed differences.; Hysterectomy-correction methods are estimations and may introduce uncertainty in incidence rates.; Findings are limited to populations covered by SEER and may not generalize to all US regions or internationally..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Aug 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Lab · in vitroMechanismMixed resultsPreclinical onlyTier 1 · lab
International journal of molecular sciences · Jun 2025
ovarian clear cell carcinoma
The authors performed biochemical and proteomic analyses on ARID1A-deficient ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells. They found marked upregulation of specific subunits of mitochondrial electron transport chain Complexes I, III, and IV. Despite this upregulation, the cells did not show increased sensitivity to broad-spectrum inhibitors of these complexes. The authors suggest that selectively inhibiting specific ETC subunits might better exploit metabolic vulnerabilities in ARID1A-deficient cells.
Key findings
- ARID1A-deficient ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells depend heavily on mitochondrial respiration (as stated by the authors).
- Proteomic and biochemical analyses revealed marked upregulation of specific subunits within mitochondrial ETC Complexes I, III, and IV in ARID1A knockout cells.
- Upregulation of these ETC subunits did not translate into increased sensitivity to broad-spectrum inhibitors targeting the complexes.
- Authors propose that selective inhibition of specific ETC subunits could be a more promising approach than broad-spectrum mitochondrial inhibitors.
Limitations: In vitro cell-line study only; no in vivo or clinical data reported in the abstract.; Abstract does not report sample sizes, quantitative metrics, or statistical results.; No specific inhibitors or compounds are named or characterized in the abstract.; Functional or therapeutic efficacy of selective ETC subunit inhibition is suggested but not demonstrated in this study..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Animal studyMechanismReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animaln = 5
Scientific reports · Feb 2025 · Establishment and molecular characterization of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from ovarian clear cell carcinoma
ovarian clear cell carcinomaOCCC
The authors established five subcutaneous patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) and characterized their morphology and molecular features. They found that PDXs retained key mutations (ARID1A, PTEN, ATM, BRCA1, PIK3CA), ARID1A protein loss, copy number alterations, and overall DNA methylation signatures similar to the matched patient tumors, though a small set of promoter CpG islands gained methylation in PDXs. Human stroma was replaced by mouse stroma in at least one PDX, and glycogen accumulation was confirmed in tumors and PDXs. The authors conclude these PDXs may serve as potential preclinical models for translational OCCC research.
Reported effects: engraftment success rate PDX.F1, p over 30% · promoter CpG island methylation gain (Δβ threshold), p △β-value > 0.4
Key findings
- Five subcutaneous OCCC PDXs were established; "The PDX.F1 engraftment success rate was over 30% with similar latency time and growth speed of PDX.F2."
- ARID1A, PTEN, ATM, BRCA1 and PIK3CA mutations were found in matched tumors and PDXs.
- ARID1A protein loss was verified by immunohistochemical staining.
- Cyclophilin A staining showed replacement of human stroma by mouse stroma in PDX.F2.
- PAS/PAS-D staining confirmed cellular glycogen accumulation in OCCC tumors and PDXs.
- SNP array and Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array analyses demonstrated that copy number alterations and DNA methylation signatures of genome-wide and tumor-driver genes in PDXs generally resembled their patients' tumors.
- Promoter CpG islands of a small number of genes, enriched in PRC2/histone methylation related gene-sets, gained methylation (△β-value > 0.4) in PDXs vs patient tumors: "Promoter CpG islands of a small number of genes, enriched in PRC2/histone methylation related gene-sets, gained methylation (△β-value > 0.4) in PDXs vs patient tumors."
- Conclusion stated: the high phenotypic and molecular similarity allows the established PDXs to serve as potential preclinical models for future translational research of OCCC.
Limitations: Preclinical animal study (mouse PDXs) so findings may not fully predict patient responses.; Small number of PDX models established (five), limiting generalizability.; Human tumor stroma was replaced by mouse stroma in PDXs, which may alter tumor microenvironment and affect translational relevance.; A small number of genes showed promoter CpG island methylation gains in PDXs, indicating possible epigenetic drift during engraftment.; No therapeutic or functional response data reported in the abstract to validate PDX utility for treatment testing..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Aug 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Cancer biology & therapy · Dec 2024 · bioinformatic analysis of RNA expression across five cancer types and observational profiling of plasma small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from prostate cancer patients and healthy donors
prostate adenocarcinomabreast cancerkidney chromophobekidney renal clear cell carcinomakidney renal papillary cell carcinoma
This study used bioinformatic analysis to evaluate RNA expression of neuroendocrine genes across five cancer types and examined small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from plasma. The authors report that specific neuroendocrine genes are significantly dysregulated in these tumors, that synaptophysin (SYP) is upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma and breast cancer, and that SYP is present in sEVs from prostate cancer patients but absent in sEVs from healthy donors.
Key findings
- Specific neuroendocrine genes are significantly dysregulated in the analyzed tumors, suggesting a role in cancer progression.
- Synaptophysin (SYP) is upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) and breast cancer (BRCA).
- SYP is enriched in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from plasma of PRAD patients, but it is absent in sEVs derived from plasma of healthy donors.
- Classical sEV markers are enriched in sEVs derived from plasma of prostate cancer patients, but weakly detectable in sEVs derived from plasma of healthy donors.
- Authors suggest these findings could support exploration of diagnostic strategies based on neuroendocrine gene expression in tumors or plasma sEVs.
Limitations: Abstract provides no sample sizes or quantitative performance metrics (e.g., sensitivity/specificity) for the sEV findings.; Observational and bioinformatic study design limits causal inference and clinical applicability.; No clinical validation or functional experiments reported in the abstract to confirm biological role of dysregulated genes.; Details of patient selection, cohort characteristics, and methods for sEV isolation/characterization are not provided in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 47
Journal of ovarian research · Nov 2024 · Immunohistochemical analysis of 47 OCCC whole-tissue specimens combined with immunoblotting and cell-line experiments
ovarian clear cell carcinoma
The authors examined SOX17 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 47 ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) tissue specimens and studied SOX17 expression and regulation in OCCC cell lines. SOX17 expression was heterogeneous across tumors and cell lines; high SOX17 immunoreactivity trended toward worse patient outcomes but this was not statistically significant. In cell lines, SOX17 was abundant in OVISE and RMG-V but low in OVTOKO, where polyubiquitinated SOX17 accumulated after proteasome inhibition. Knockdown of the deubiquitinase UCHL1 in OVISE increased SOX17 polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasome degradation, suggesting impaired ubiquitin-mediated degradation can stabilize SOX17 in some OCCC cells.
Key findings
- SOX17-high immunoreactivity tended to be related to unfavorable patient outcomes, although not statistically significant.
- Double immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that SOX17 immunoreactivity was not associated with ARID1A immunoreactivity.
- Immunoblotting revealed that SOX17 was abundantly expressed in cultured OVISE and RMG-V OCCC cells, but not in OVTOKO OCCC cells.
- Polyubiquitinated bands of SOX17 were observed in MG132 treated OVTOKO, but not in OVISE or RMG-V OCCC cells.
- si-RNA-mediated knockdown of a deubiquitinase enzyme, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1, increased polyubiquitination followed by proteasome degradation of SOX17 in OVISE.
Limitations: Observational, descriptive study of human tumor specimens without functional in vivo validation.; Prognostic association (SOX17-high vs outcomes) was not statistically significant.; Relatively small specimen cohort (n=47) limits generalizability and statistical power.; Cell-line findings (three lines) may not represent tumor heterogeneity in patients..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportMechanismInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
International journal of surgical pathology · Sep 2024 · case report
ovarian neoplasmmesonephric-like adenocarcinomaclear cell carcinomaendometrioid carcinomaendometriosis-associated neoplasm
This case report describes a 48-year-old woman with an ovarian mixed carcinoma composed of mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinoma arising in an endometriotic cyst. Each component had distinct immunophenotypes; the mesonephric-like component was PAX8- and GATA3-positive and ER/PR-negative, with wild-type p53 and complete loss of ARID1A expression. Manual macrodissection and Sanger sequencing found identical KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in all three tumor components, which the authors state supports that mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma can be an endometriosis-associated neoplasm.
Key findings
- Mixed ovarian carcinoma composed of mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinoma arising from an endometriotic cyst.
- Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma showed diffuse positive staining for PAX8 and GATA3 and negative staining for estrogen and progesterone receptors.
- p53 staining exhibited wild-type immunoreactivity.
- Complete loss of ARID1A expression was observed, suggestive of ARID1A mutation.
- Manual macrodissection and Sanger sequencing revealed identical KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in all three components.
- Authors state this is the first report of mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma combined with clear cell and endometrioid carcinoma, supporting an endometriosis-associated origin.
Limitations: Single-patient case report limits generalizability.; No functional studies to demonstrate the biological consequence of the identified mutations.; Clinical staging, treatment, and follow-up outcomes are not reported in the abstract.; Molecular analysis used manual macrodissection and Sanger sequencing; extent of sampling and clonality assessment are limited..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed