How kidney cancer hides from the immune system
Genetic Mechanisms Controlling Kidney Cancer Immune Escape
Researchers are looking for genetic changes in kidney tumors that let the cancer hide from immune cells in people with clear cell kidney cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299576 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will sort pure cancer cells from human clear cell kidney tumors and read their RNA to find gene changes linked to weak immune responses. They focus on small immune niches at the tumor border that support TCF1+ stem-like CD8 T cells, which help keep an ongoing attack on the cancer. By comparing tumor-cell gene activity from many patients, the team aims to find cancer-acquired changes that prevent these immune niches from forming. The findings could point to ways to restore the niche or make immunotherapy work better for more patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who can provide tumor tissue from surgery (particularly T3-stage tumors) are the most suitable candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with non-clear-cell kidney cancers, those without available tumor tissue, or those not undergoing surgical treatment are unlikely to be directly included or to benefit immediately.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify tumor genes that block immune-supporting niches and suggest new targets to improve responses to immunotherapy in kidney cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies showed the TCF1+ CD8 immune niche and its link to outcomes, but using purified tumor-cell RNA from a large patient set to find the genetic causes of niche loss is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kissick, Haydn — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kissick, Haydn
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.