Genes that control kidney cancer spread to the lungs
Genome-wide CRISPR screening identifies critical regulators controlling ccRCC lung metastasis
Looks at whether a gene called HLF helps drive clear cell kidney cancer to spread to the lungs in people with kidney cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247135 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses a genome-wide CRISPR screen to find genes that control lung spread of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Researchers will study the role of the HLF gene using lab models derived from patient tumors, implanted tumors in mice, immune-competent and humanized mouse systems, and molecular experiments to map how HLF works. The team will use both loss- and gain-of-function approaches to see how changing HLF levels affects tumor growth and lung metastasis. Findings aim to reveal biological steps that let ccRCC spread to the lungs and point to possible targets for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those with metastatic disease or at risk for lung metastases, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non–clear cell kidney cancers or conditions unrelated to kidney cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify HLF as a new target to prevent or detect lung metastasis in clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Genome-wide CRISPR screens have uncovered metastasis regulators in other cancers, but HLF's role in solid tumors is largely untested, making this a novel line of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Qing — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Qing
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 below.