Understanding how cancer cells affect T cell activation in kidney cancer
Official title: Metabolic barriers to T cell activation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11061783 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how clear cell kidney cancer affects the immune system's T cells, which help fight cancer, by changing the way cancer cells use sugar and other nutrients, and it hopes to find new ways to boost T cell activity for better treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2018 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $527,128 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA217987-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061783 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who are undergoing surgical treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of kidney cancer or those who do not have clear cell renal cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) affects the activation of T cells, which are crucial for the immune response against cancer. The study focuses on the metabolic barriers that cancer cells create, particularly how they manipulate glucose and glutamine levels in the tumor microenvironment to suppress T cell function. By analyzing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patients, the researchers aim to identify specific metabolic pathways that hinder T cell activity, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies that enhance anti-tumor immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy treatments for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways to enhance T cell responses in cancer, indicating that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rathmell, Jeffrey C. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rathmell, Jeffrey C.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how kidney cancer spreads to bone and how to fight it
A patient-focused look at how clear cell renal cell carcinoma spreads to bone and how new treatments might help people with advanced disease.
-
Improve precision medicine for kidney cancer in people of African descent
A research project will explore why kidney cancer affects people of African ancestry differently and how to use genomics to guide better treatments.
-
Engineering immunogenic cell death to boost melanoma and kidney cancer therapy
This grant supports research aimed at making melanoma and kidney cancer cells die in a way that triggers a stronger immune response in patients.
-
Prognostic test to predict metastasis in clear cell kidney cancer
A new 12-marker biomarker test for people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma may help doctors predict which patients are at higher risk of metastasis.
-
Defining metabolic targets in kidney cancer for new treatments
A cancer-focused project is exploring how kidney cancer uses metabolism so doctors can find new, targeted ways to treat it.
-
Targeting HIF2 in kidney cancer: a new approach for clear cell RCC
A kidney cancer research program tests whether blocking HIF2 can slow or stop tumors in people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
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.