High-quality biospecimens are essential for transcriptomic analyses in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), yet real-world determinants of RNA integrity in routine surgical settings remain insufficiently documented. This study aimed to evaluate RNA quantity and quality from cryopreserved RCC tissues and identify factors associated with RNA degradation.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients with clear cell RCC included in the UroCCR network (2005-2012). Tumour and matched normal kidney tissues were prospectively collected during partial or radical nephrectomy and snap-frozen. RNA was extracted using an automated protocol. RNA concentration was measured by NanoDrop spectrophotometry, and RNA quality was assessed using the RNA Quality Score (RQS). Multivariate linear regression models with random intercepts were used.
RNA extraction was successful in 302 of 310 samples. RNA concentration exceeded 25 ng/µL in 93% of samples, and 78.4% met both quantitative and qualitative criteria (RQS ≥ 6). Mean RNA concentration was 128.8 ± 104.4 ng/µL, and mean RQS was 7.52 ± 1.40. Tumour tissue showed higher RNA quality than matched healthy tissue (mean RQS: 8.33 ± 1.02 vs 6.66 ± 1.30; p < 0.001). Preoperative embolization was independently associated with lower RNA quality (p < 0.001). Freezing delay (mean 30 ± 25 min) and duration of storage were not associated with RNA degradation.
High-quality RNA can be extracted from fresh-frozen RCC tissues under routine clinical conditions. RNA integrity is mainly influenced by tumour biology rather than short procedural delays, supporting biologically informed biobanking strategies.
The French journal of urology. 2026 Jan 30 [Epub ahead of print]
G Margue, G Capon, B C Niort, L Donon, F Soulet, C Quemener, J-P Merlio, L Letenneur, A Doussau, M Jullien de Pommerol, G Drutel, M Gross-Goupil, M Yacoub, A Bikfalvi, J-C Bernhard
Department of Urology - CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; I.CaRe Bordeaux - BRIC INSERM U1312, Bordeaux, France; Kidney Cancer group of the Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology, Paris, France. Electronic address: ., Department of Urology - CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France., I.CaRe Bordeaux - BRIC INSERM U1312, Bordeaux, France., Tumour Bank and Tumor Biology Department - CHU Bordeaux, France., ISPED, Bordeaux, France., Medical Information Department - CHU Bordeaux, France., IECB, Talence, France., I.CaRe Bordeaux - BRIC INSERM U1312, Bordeaux, France; Department of medical oncology - CHU Bordeaux, France., I.CaRe Bordeaux - BRIC INSERM U1312, Bordeaux, France; Department of Pathology - CHU Bordeaux, France., Department of Urology - CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; I.CaRe Bordeaux - BRIC INSERM U1312, Bordeaux, France; Kidney Cancer group of the Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology, Paris, France.