Blocking ANGPTL4 to treat clear cell kidney cancer
Official title: The role of Angiopoietin-like 4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its therapeutic potential
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11247570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers aim to block a protein called ANGPTL4 to slow tumor growth and normalize blood vessels in clear cell kidney cancer so immunotherapy may work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $346,628 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288749-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those whose tumors show high ANGPTL4 levels or who are receiving VEGF-targeted therapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
People with non–clear cell kidney cancers or tumors that lack ANGPTL4 expression are less likely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you have clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), this project focuses on a protein called ANGPTL4 that is often higher in tumors than in normal kidney tissue. The team uses patient tumor samples and laboratory models, including mouse xenografts, to see how blocking ANGPTL4 affects tumor growth and the tumor blood vessels. They measure changes in angiogenesis and adhesion molecules on blood vessel cells to determine whether vessels become more 'normalized'—a change that can help immune therapies work better. Their work also looks at which patients' tumors show high ANGPTL4 so future treatments could be targeted to those likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could slow tumor growth and make immune-based treatments more effective for people with clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies, including in breast cancer models and ccRCC xenografts, have suggested ANGPTL4 promotes tumor growth and that blocking it can reduce tumor size and angiogenesis, but clinical testing in kidney cancer remains novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kolb, Ryan H — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Kolb, Ryan H
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.