Targeting a kidney cancer signaling axis to slow tumor growth
Official title: Identification of DCLK2-TBK1 signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target in kidney cancer
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11381980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study at UT Southwestern aims to find a more precise way to slow or stop growth of clear cell kidney cancer by focusing on a key cancer signaling pathway.
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 | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $469,926 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284591-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) or those with VHL-deficient kidney cancer could benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
This study is in early, preclinical stages and may not directly benefit patients in the short term.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the loss of a gene called VHL drives aggressive kidney cancer and how a protein called TBK1 helps these cancer cells grow. They will search for regulators of TBK1 to develop more specific inhibitors that might treat cancer without harming the immune system. The project uses lab models to test new ideas about how ccRCC cells proliferate and metastasize, and will compare responses in cells with and without VHL.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to targeted therapies for patients with VHL-deficient kidney cancer, offering more options beyond current treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown TBK1 involvement in ccRCC growth, supporting the potential of this approach but human efficacy remains to be proven.
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
Related research
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Maximizing anti-tumor immune responses in kidney cancer
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Kidney Cancer Career Enhancement Program (CEP) at DF/HCC
A career-boosting program supports junior investigators studying kidney cancer to help them advance in basic, translational, and clinical work.
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Kidney Cancer Development Program at DF/HCC
A funded program at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Kidney Cancer Center supports new ideas from researchers to improve understanding and treatment of kidney cancer.
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Personalized antigens for kidney cancer therapy
This grant explores identifying and targeting tumor-specific antigens in kidney cancer to develop more effective, personalized immunotherapies.
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Optimizing Anti-PD1 Therapy for High-Risk and Metastatic Kidney Cancer
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Targeting the HIF2 Pathway in Kidney Cancer
A cancer treatment program aims to see if a drug called belzutifan can help people with a specific kind of kidney cancer whose growth is driven by the HIF2 pathway.
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.