Targeting epigenetic drivers in clear cell kidney cancer
Official title: Defining and targeting epigenomic drivers of consensus transcriptomic programs in clear cell renal cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11282705 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist at Johns Hopkins is exploring how epigenetic changes shape kidney cancer and whether new therapies can target these changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $257,502 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA308867-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11282705 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those with VHL, PBRM1, or BAP1 alterations, may benefit if targeted therapies emerge.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ccRCC or whose tumors do not show targetable chromatin states may not benefit.
What this research studies
Over 5 years, the project will combine machine learning with kidney cancer biology to find epigenetic and transcriptomic patterns that drive clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The team will map these patterns to potential drug targets and test therapeutic strategies aimed at specific chromatin states in ccRCC. This work involves analysis of patient tumor biology, collaboration with experts in epigenetics and drug development, and plans to translate findings toward new treatments. The effort includes developing computational methods and validating them with laboratory experiments to identify vulnerable cancer subtypes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic ccRCC could gain new therapeutic options tailored to their tumor's epigenetic profile.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that chromatin states can influence cancer behavior and responses to therapy, but translating this into targeted treatments is ongoing and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elias, Roy — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Elias, Roy
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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.