# A Rare Case of TFE3‐Rearranged and SMARCB1‐Mutated Renal Cell Carcinoma: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Complexities

**Authors:** Paul J. Pecorin, Nyembezi Dhliwayo, Trevor Christ, Thomas Westbrook

PMC · DOI: 10.1155/crom/6909249 · Case Reports in Oncological Medicine · 2026-02-24

## TL;DR

A rare kidney cancer case with TFE3 and SMARCB1 genetic changes highlights the need for genomic testing and tailored treatments.

## Contribution

This paper presents a rare case of RCC with both TFE3 translocation and SMARCB1 mutation, emphasizing genomic profiling for diagnosis and treatment.

## Key findings

- The patient had metastatic RCC with concurrent TFE3 translocation and SMARCB1 mutation.
- Combination therapy with lenvatinib and pembrolizumab showed recent disease stabilization.
- Genomic profiling is crucial for identifying rare RCC subtypes and guiding treatment.

## Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the majority of kidney malignancies, with clear cell RCC being the most common subtype. However, recent advances in tumor genomics have refined RCC classification, highlighting rare molecular subtypes such as TFE3‐rearranged and SMARCB1‐deficient RCCs. These entities pose unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their aggressive nature and limited treatment data. We present a rare case of metastatic RCC with concurrent TFE3 translocation and SMARCB1 mutation in a 39‐year‐old patient. The patient underwent multiple systemic therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), alongside surgical and radiation interventions. Despite disease progression, a combination of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab has shown recent stabilization. This case underscores the importance of genomic profiling in identifying rare RCC subtypes and guiding treatment decisions. Given the aggressive course and lack of established guidelines, further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies for these molecularly defined RCC variants.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** TFE3 (transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3) [NCBI Gene 7030], SMARCB1 (SWI/SNF related BAF chromatin remodeling complex subunit B1) [NCBI Gene 6598]
- **Chemicals:** lenvatinib (PubChem CID 9823820)
- **Diseases:** renal cell carcinoma (MONDO:0005086)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A) [NCBI Gene 7422] {aka L-VEGF, MVCD1, VEGF, VPF}, PRCC (proline rich mitotic checkpoint control factor) [NCBI Gene 5546] {aka RCCP1, TPRC}, TFEB (transcription factor EB) [NCBI Gene 7942] {aka ALPHATFEB, BHLHE35, TCFEB}, TXK (TXK tyrosine kinase) [NCBI Gene 7294] {aka BTKL, PSCTK5, PTK4, RLK, TKL}, TFE3 (transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3) [NCBI Gene 7030] {aka MRXSPF, RCCP2, RCCX1, TFEA, bHLHe33}, SFPQ (splicing factor proline and glutamine rich) [NCBI Gene 6421] {aka POMP100, PPP1R140, PSF}, SMARCB1 (SWI/SNF related BAF chromatin remodeling complex subunit B1) [NCBI Gene 6598] {aka BAF47, CSS3, INI-1, INI1, MRD15, PPP1R144}, MITF (melanocyte inducing transcription factor) [NCBI Gene 4286] {aka CMM8, COMMAD, MI, MITF-A, WS2, WS2A}, ASPSCR1 (ASPSCR1 tether for SLC2A4, UBX domain containing) [NCBI Gene 79058] {aka ASPCR1, ASPL, ASPS, RCC17, TUG, UBXD9}, SPATA2 (spermatogenesis associated 2) [NCBI Gene 9825] {aka PD1, PPP1R145, tamo}, CD274 (CD274 molecule) [NCBI Gene 29126] {aka ADMIO5, B7-H, B7H1, PD-L1, PDCD1L1, PDCD1LG1}
- **Diseases:** kidney cancer (MESH:D007680), bleeding (MESH:D006470), lesion (MESH:D009059), labor (MESH:D048949), chronic myeloid leukemia (MESH:D015464), adnexal lesion (MESH:D000291), Tumor (MESH:D009369), hemorrhagic rupture (MESH:D012421), hemoglobinopathies (MESH:D006453), RMC (MESH:D018276), angiomyolipoma (MESH:D018207), flank pain (MESH:D021501), pain (MESH:D010146), hematoma (MESH:D006406), prostate cancer (MESH:D011471), caudate liver lesion (MESH:D008107), cyst (MESH:D003560), RCC metastasis (MESH:D002292), basal cell carcinoma (MESH:D002280), sickle cell trait (MESH:D012805), hepatic lesions (MESH:D056486), breast cancer (MESH:D001943), toxicity (MESH:D064420), nodal lesions (MESH:D013611), end stage renal disease (MESH:D007676), thyroid cancer (MESH:D013964), hepatic metastases (MESH:D009362)
- **Chemicals:** ipilimumab (MESH:D000074324), cabozantinib (MESH:C558660), tyrosine (MESH:D014443), nivolumab (MESH:D000077594), Lenvatinib (MESH:C531958), lipid (MESH:D008055), pembrolizumab (MESH:C582435), cabozatinib (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]
- **Cell lines:** -03 — Homo sapiens (Human), Melanoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_C6NK)

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12930201/full.md

## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12930201/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12930201