Targeted therapy approach for translocation renal cell carcinoma
Official title: Therapeutic targeting for translocation renal cell carcinoma
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11351015 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at SUNY Buffalo aims to find small molecules that block a key protein interaction driving a rare kidney cancer to help patients who have a specific genetic form of the disease.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,104,863 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA292851-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11351015 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with translocation renal cell carcinoma or those with the specific TFE3/TFEB gene fusions could benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without tRCC or without the relevant gene fusions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use cancer cell models that mimic translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) to identify compounds that disrupt the interaction between TFE3 fusion proteins and their partners. They will focus on compounds that bind the leucine zipper region of these fusion proteins, hoping to stop the cancer cells from growing. The work builds on prior findings showing that blocking this protein interaction can reduce cancer cell proliferation. If successful, this approach could lead to new targeted therapies for adults and potentially improve outcomes for a rare but aggressive cancer. The project involves laboratory experiments and analysis of molecular interactions to uncover promising drug candidates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with tRCC could have a new targeted treatment option that slows or stops tumor growth.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests targeting protein interactions can hinder tRCC cell growth, but this approach is still experimental and early-stage.
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.