Blocking CDK4/6 to treat MiT/TFE-translocation kidney cancer
Official title: Targeting the CDK4/6 pathway in MiT/TFE-translocation renal cell carcinoma
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11267961 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether drugs that block CDK4/6, alone or with PI3K/mTOR blockers, can slow an aggressive kidney cancer caused by MiT/TFE gene fusions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $208,004 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA296230-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11267961 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with translocation renal cell carcinoma (MiT/TFE or TFE3 fusion-positive tumors) or tumors showing activation of the CDK4/6 pathway would be the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of kidney cancer that lack MiT/TFE fusions or CDK4/6 activation are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are working to see if existing CDK4/6 drugs can stop or slow MiT/TFE-translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). They will use lab-grown tumor cells and animal models to measure how tumors respond to CDK4/6 blockers alone and combined with PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. The team will analyze tumor DNA and RNA to understand which tumors are most likely to respond and why. The goal is to generate data that could support clinical trials of targeted treatments for this aggressive subtype.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to targeted drug combinations that lead to new treatment options and clinical trials for people with tRCC.
How similar studies have gone: CDK4/6 inhibitors are effective in some breast cancers, but applying them to tRCC is largely novel and remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viswanathan, Srinivas Raghavan — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Viswanathan, Srinivas Raghavan
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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.