How the amino acid asparagine affects kidney cancer growth
Nutrient Regulation of Cancer Cell Growth
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11256744
Seeing whether lowering the amino acid asparagine can slow growth of renal cell (kidney) cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11256744 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have kidney cancer, UCLA researchers are studying whether tumors need the amino acid asparagine to keep growing. They lower asparagine around tumors using enzymes (L-asparaginase), by reducing dietary asparagine, and by using metformin to block the tumor’s ability to make asparagine. Most experiments so far use tumor cells and mice to measure tumor growth and molecular responses. If findings are promising, the team may move toward treatments or early human testing that target tumor metabolism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), particularly those whose tumors rely on altered amino acid metabolism, would be the most relevant candidates for related trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not depend on asparagine or who cannot tolerate therapies like L-asparaginase or metformin may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could slow kidney tumor growth and lead to new metabolic treatment options that add to existing therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse and cell studies in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers have shown that lowering asparagine can block tumor growth, and L-asparaginase is already used in some leukemias, but applying these approaches to kidney cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHRISTOFK, HEATHER — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: CHRISTOFK, HEATHER
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.