Molecular imaging for non-invasive risk stratification of renal masses

Anatomic imaging with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has long been the mainstay of renal mass characterization. However, those modalities are often unable to adequately characterize indeterminate, solid, enhancing renal masses – with some exceptions, such as the development of the clear-cell likelihood score on multi-parametric MRI. As such, molecular imaging approaches have gained traction as an alternative to anatomic imaging. Mitochondrial imaging with ^99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/CT is a cost-effective means of non-invasively identifying oncocytomas and other indolent renal masses. On the other end of the spectrum, carbonic anhydrase IX agents, most notably the monoclonal antibody girentuximab – which can be labeled with positron emission tomography radionuclides such as zirconium-89 – are effective at identifying renal masses that are likely to be aggressive clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Renal mass biopsy, which has a relatively high non-diagnostic rate and does not definitively characterize many oncocytic neoplasms, nonetheless may play an important role in any algorithm targeted to renal mass risk stratification. The combination of molecular imaging and biopsy in selected patients with other advanced imaging methods, such as artificial intelligence/machine learning and the abstraction of radiomics features, offers the optimal way forward for maximization of the information to be gained from risk stratification of indeterminate renal masses. With the proper application of those methods, inappropriately aggressive therapy for benign and indolent renal masses may be curtailed.