Identifying key factors that influence lung metastasis in kidney cancer
Official title: Genome-wide CRISPR screening identifies critical regulators controlling ccRCC lung metastasis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11072935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how kidney cancer spreads to the lungs and aims to find new ways to treat it by focusing on a specific factor called HLF, which could help improve care for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $521,579 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA294133-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, particularly those experiencing or at risk for lung metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of kidney cancer or those whose cancer has not metastasized may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind lung metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a type of kidney cancer that is often resistant to treatment. Using advanced CRISPR screening techniques, the study aims to identify critical regulators, particularly focusing on the Hepatic leukemia factor (HLF), which has not been previously studied in this context. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research, as it could lead to new therapeutic targets and strategies to combat metastasis. The research will utilize various models, including patient-derived xenografts and immune-competent mouse models, to explore the functional significance of HLF in ccRCC lung metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that improve survival rates for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using CRISPR screening is gaining traction, the specific focus on HLF in the context of ccRCC lung metastasis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Qing — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Qing
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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.