Identifying early responses to kidney cancer treatment using exosomes
Official title: Exosome Signatures of Kidney Cancer Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11114815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny particles called exosomes in blood and urine to see if they can help doctors tell how well patients with advanced kidney cancer are responding to a combination treatment, so patients can get the right care faster and avoid treatments that aren't working.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $215,985 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA299766-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who are starting treatment with nivolumab and ipilimumab.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing treatment with nivolumab and ipilimumab or those with non-metastatic kidney cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exosomes, which are tiny particles released by cells, can serve as early indicators of how well patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma are responding to a combination treatment of nivolumab and ipilimumab. By analyzing blood and urine samples, the study aims to detect specific proteins and RNA in exosomes that correlate with changes in tumor size, allowing for quicker assessment of treatment effectiveness. This could help patients avoid unnecessary side effects from ineffective therapies and transition to more effective treatments sooner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier detection of treatment responses, improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using exosomes as biomarkers for treatment response in various cancers, suggesting a potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fan, Alice Chen — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Fan, Alice Chen
Related research
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Optimizing Anti-PD1 Therapy for High-Risk and Metastatic Kidney Cancer
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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.