A study published in Nature investigating tumour metabolism in kidney cancers provides insight into the influence of mitochondria and cellular metabolism on metastasis in this disease.

In this study, a 13C-labelled nutrient, [U-13C]glucose, was administered through a peripheral intravenous line to patients with varying subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy during their surgery. Overall, 59 patients, 37 of whom had clear cell RCC (ccRCC), were included.