Copper and kidney cancer progression
Official title: Metabolic effects of cooper in renal cancer
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11164829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether copper changes how clear cell kidney cancer cells make energy and helps tumors grow or come back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $539,601 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287260-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164829 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those with advanced disease or at high risk of relapse who can provide tumor samples or join related clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
People with non–clear cell kidney cancers or tumors that do not show copper accumulation are less likely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses tumor samples from people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and laboratory models to study how copper accumulates in tumors. In the lab, researchers change copper levels in cancer cell lines and mouse tumor grafts and measure mitochondrial proteins like COX7A2L, formation of respiratory supercomplexes, and cardiolipin lipid changes. They link these copper-driven mitochondrial changes to tumor growth and relapse behavior. The goal is to map the steps by which copper supports tumor progression so future treatments can target those steps.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new therapies that lower or block copper-driven tumor metabolism to slow progression and reduce relapse in clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior research and early trials of copper-lowering drugs have shown effects on tumor growth, but the specific mechanism involving respiratory supercomplex assembly and cardiolipin remodeling in ccRCC is a novel area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Czyzyk-Krzeska, Maria F — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Czyzyk-Krzeska, Maria F
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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.