New treatments for a rare kidney cancer
Official title: Therapeutic targeting for translocation renal cell carcinoma
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11132968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks for new ways to stop the growth of a rare and aggressive type of kidney cancer called translocation renal cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $368,288 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292851-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with translocation renal cell carcinoma, especially those with TFE3 gene fusions, are the focus of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with kidney cancers not caused by translocation gene fusions may not directly benefit from this specific therapeutic approach.
What this research studies
Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer that often affects children but is also found in adults, though it can be hard to diagnose. This cancer is caused by specific gene changes, called fusions, for which there are currently no effective targeted treatments. Our team is working to understand how these changed genes, specifically TFE3 fusions, help the cancer grow. We are looking for new medications, called small molecules, that can block the harmful interactions of these cancer-causing proteins. By stopping these interactions, we hope to prevent the cancer cells from multiplying.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of the first effective targeted therapies specifically for patients with translocation renal cell carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown that targeting these protein interactions can slow cancer cell growth, suggesting promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pili, Roberto — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Pili, Roberto
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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.