Profilin as a Target to Normalize Tumor Vessels in Kidney Cancer
Official title: Profilin as a Novel Target for Vascular Normalization in Renal Cancer
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11640331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to curb blood vessel growth in a common kidney cancer by targeting a protein called Profilin 1 to improve how blood vessels form in tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 7R00CA267180-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11640331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with clear cell renal cell carcinoma or related vascular tumor conditions who may benefit from therapies targeting tumor blood vessels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-ccRCC kidney cancers or those without a vascular tumor component may not benefit from Profilin 1–targeted strategies.
What this research studies
This project explores how Profilin 1 influences blood vessel formation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and whether targeting Profilin 1 can normalize the tumor blood vessels. By using genetic deletion and small-molecule inhibitors in models, the study looks at how disrupting Profilin 1 affects tumor vascularization and cancer progression. The goal is to determine if Profilin 1 could become a new therapeutic target to enhance treatment effectiveness for ccRCC. The research is grounded in understanding the actin cytoskeleton’s role in endothelial cells within the tumor environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve blood vessel normalization in ccRCC and potentially extend the benefits of existing treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests actin-regulated vascular changes are important in tumor progression, supporting potential for Profilin 1–targeted approaches though clinical evidence is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gau, David Martin — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Gau, David Martin
Related research
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Targeting profilin to normalize blood vessels in kidney cancer
This work tests whether blocking a protein called profilin can normalize tumor blood vessels and help people with clear cell kidney cancer.
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Copper and kidney cancer progression
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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.