Gamma-glutamyltransferase 1 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma initiation and progression

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer. While the localized form of this disease can be treated surgically, advanced and metastatic stages are resistant to chemotherapies. Although more innovative treatments, such as targeted or immune-based therapies, exist, the need for new therapeutic options remains. ccRCC present unique metabolic signatures and multiple studies have reported a significant increase in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and its precursors in ccRCC tumor samples compared to normal kidney tissues. These observations led us to investigate the effects of blocking the GSH pathway, particularly the gamma-glutamyltransferase 1 (GGT1) enzyme, in multiple ccRCC cell lines. In the present study, we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that GGT1/GSH pathway inhibition impacts ccRCC cell growth, through increased cell cycle arrest. Of note, GGT1 inhibition also impairs ccRCC cell migration. Finally, pharmacological GSH pathway inhibition decreases ccRCC cell proliferation and increases sensitivity to standard chemotherapy. Our results suggest that GGT1/GSH pathway inhibition represents a new strategy to overcome ccRCC chemoresistance. Implications: GGT1/GSH pathway inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance and inhibit progression of ccRCC tumors.