Copper-driven metabolism in clear cell kidney cancer relapse
Official title: Metabolic effects of cooper in renal cancer
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11395519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how copper metabolism affects the growth and relapse of clear cell renal cell carcinoma to identify new ways to help patients after surgery.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,601 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287260-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those at risk of relapse after surgery, could be involved through tumor samples or related clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ccRCC or without relapse risk are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
For people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the project examines how copper levels inside tumors influence cancer growth and relapse after initial treatment. Researchers will study patient tumor samples and kidney cancer cell models to understand how copper helps cancer cells respire and survive. The aim is to uncover copper-related mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent relapse and improve outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to slow or stop ccRCC relapse by targeting copper-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked copper metabolism to cancer cell respiration and growth, with some evidence supporting copper-targeting approaches in cancer models.
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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Targeting profilin to normalize blood vessels in kidney cancer
This work tests whether blocking a protein called profilin can normalize tumor blood vessels and help people with clear cell kidney cancer.
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Copper and kidney cancer progression
Researchers are looking at whether copper changes how clear cell kidney cancer cells make energy and helps tumors grow or come back.
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.