How inherited and tumor DNA changes drive clear cell kidney cancer
Official title: Dissecting Convergent Somatic and Germline Alterations that Mediate the Origins and Evolution of Kidney Cancer
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11238528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how inherited DNA changes and tumor DNA changes work together in people with clear cell kidney cancer to help link genetics and tumor features to treatment decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $674,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278980-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who can provide blood for germline DNA and tumor tissue or agree to use existing genomic data and samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of kidney disease or cancer, or those unable or unwilling to provide tumor samples or genetic consent, are unlikely to get direct benefit from participation.
What this research studies
This project analyzes inherited (germline) DNA and tumor (somatic) DNA from people with clear cell kidney cancer to see how they interact. Researchers will combine large genomic datasets, detailed tumor sequencing including noncoding and structural variants, and mapping of different tumor areas to study spatial differences. They will use advanced computer methods and lab tests to identify which DNA changes drive tumor development and unique tumor appearances. The goal is to translate those findings into precision approaches that better match tumor biology and a person’s genetics to likely outcomes and therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict tumor behavior and better match treatments to a patient’s specific inherited and tumor DNA profile in clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked genes like VHL to ccRCC and used tumor sequencing to guide care, but jointly analyzing germline variants, noncoding and structural changes, and spatial tumor heterogeneity is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Allen, Eliezer M — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Van Allen, Eliezer M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Maximizing anti-tumor immune responses in kidney cancer
A cutting-edge program at UT Southwestern aims to speed up better immunotherapy options for kidney cancer by studying how to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses.
-
Kidney Cancer Career Enhancement Program (CEP) at DF/HCC
A career-boosting program supports junior investigators studying kidney cancer to help them advance in basic, translational, and clinical work.
-
Kidney Cancer Development Program at DF/HCC
A funded program at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Kidney Cancer Center supports new ideas from researchers to improve understanding and treatment of kidney cancer.
-
Personalized antigens for kidney cancer therapy
This grant explores identifying and targeting tumor-specific antigens in kidney cancer to develop more effective, personalized immunotherapies.
-
Optimizing Anti-PD1 Therapy for High-Risk and Metastatic Kidney Cancer
A large cancer research grant is testing how best to use anti-PD-1 therapy to help people with high-risk and metastatic kidney cancer live longer and with fewer side effects.
-
Targeting the HIF2 Pathway in Kidney Cancer
A cancer treatment program aims to see if a drug called belzutifan can help people with a specific kind of kidney cancer whose growth is driven by the HIF2 pathway.
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.