Understanding and treating a specific kidney cancer called 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-11144442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for new ways to treat a rare and aggressive kidney cancer called translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) by focusing on a specific cell pathway.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $542,189 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279044-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients diagnosed with translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of kidney cancer or different cancer diagnoses may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a very aggressive type of kidney cancer that currently lacks specific treatments. We know that a particular cell pathway, called NRF2, is unusually active in tRCC, even though the typical changes seen in other cancers are not present. This suggests a unique way NRF2 works in tRCC. Our goal is to uncover exactly how this NRF2 pathway becomes active in tRCC cells. We also want to determine if blocking this pathway could be an effective new treatment for patients with this challenging cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of the first targeted therapies specifically designed for patients with translocation renal cell carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: While NRF2 activation is known in other cancers, its unique regulation in tRCC and its potential as a specific therapeutic target for tRCC are novel and largely untested.
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.