New combination treatments for clear cell kidney cancer
Exploring novel therapeutic strategies for combinatory therapy to treat renal clear cell carcinomas
Trying drugs that remove the BCL-XL protein together with other therapies to help people with clear cell kidney cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258487 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) using tumor and paired blood samples to understand how tumors suppress the immune system. Researchers found tumor-induced regulatory T cells (TI-Tregs) that show signs of cellular aging and rely on the BCL-XL protein to survive. They are testing new PROTAC drugs (BCL-XL degraders such as DT2216 and PZ15227) that tag BCL-XL for destruction and plan to combine these with current anti-angiogenesis or immunotherapy approaches in preclinical models. The aim is to reduce suppressive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment so existing treatments work better for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those with advanced or metastatic disease not fully controlled by current therapies, would be most likely to qualify.
Not a fit: People with non–clear-cell kidney cancers, those with early-stage disease already cured, or tumors that do not rely on BCL-XL are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could weaken immune-suppressing cells in tumors and improve responses to immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis treatments for people with clear cell kidney cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Using PROTACs to degrade BCL-XL is a novel strategy with encouraging preclinical results but limited clinical data so far.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Weizhou — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Weizhou
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.