Targeting NRF2 signaling in a rare kidney cancer subtype (tRCC)
Official title: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targeting of activated NRF2 signaling in MiT/TFE translocation renal cell carcinoma
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11371133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at a specific, aggressive kidney cancer called translocation RCC, this project explores how NRF2 pathway activation happens and whether blocking it could help treat patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,744 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279044-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) or related MiT/TFE-driven RCC may be most eligible for future translational applications and trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of RCC or cancer not driven by MiT/TFE fusions may not benefit from this targeted approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding why a subset of kidney cancer (tRCC) becomes so aggressive and how NRF2, a cell stress responder, is activated in these tumors. Researchers will study the molecular details of how NRF2 signaling is turned on in tRCC without the usual genetic tweaks seen in other cancers. They will test whether targeting NRF2 can slow or stop tumor growth in lab models and preclinical setups. The work builds on genomic findings to identify potential drug targets specifically for tRCC. If successful, this could lead to new therapies tailored to patients with this cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to targeted therapies that improve survival and quality of life for patients with translocation RCC.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in RCC has shown NRF2 involvement in tumor biology, and targeting oncogenic pathways has yielded benefits in other cancers, supporting potential but requiring disease-specific validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viswanathan, Srinivas Raghavan — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Viswanathan, Srinivas Raghavan
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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.