How clear cell kidney tumors' metabolism shapes their neighborhood
Metabolic Influences on Complex Tumor Neighborhoods
This project looks at how changes in metabolism inside clear cell kidney tumors affect their surrounding cells and treatment responses for people with kidney cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160663 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze molecular and metabolic data from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors collected from patients to map common metabolic changes. They will focus on enzymes such as ARG2, loss of FBP1 and urea-cycle proteins, and the buildup of lipid droplets in tumor cells. In laboratory models, the team will test how these metabolic shifts change blood vessel growth and the behavior of immune cells around the tumor. The aim is to pinpoint metabolic weak spots that could be targeted to make existing therapies like anti-angiogenic drugs and immunotherapy work better for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those with advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease, would be most relevant for related clinical efforts.
Not a fit: Patients with other kidney cancer subtypes, unrelated cancers, or those cured by early surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatment targets or ways to improve the effectiveness of current therapies for clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has identified metabolic changes in ccRCC and preclinical studies suggest targeting metabolism can slow tumors, but translating this into effective patient therapies is still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, M. Celeste — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Simon, M. Celeste
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.