Understanding how certain kidney cancers worsen with immunotherapy
Official title: Mechanisms of Hyperprogression to Immunotherapy in SMARCB1-Deficient Renal Malignancies
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11047703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why certain kidney cancers, especially in young people of African descent, get worse quickly when treated with immunotherapy, and it aims to find better treatments by understanding the unique features of these tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $672,300 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA288448-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young individuals of African descent diagnosed with SMARCB1-deficient renal malignancies, particularly those with renal medullary carcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with renal malignancies that do not involve SMARCB1 deficiency or those who do not fit the demographic profile may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the rapid worsening of SMARCB1-deficient renal malignancies, particularly renal medullary carcinoma, when treated with immunotherapy. It focuses on how these tumors, which are more common in young individuals of African descent, respond poorly to standard treatments due to their unique biological characteristics. The study aims to identify specific genetic and molecular pathways that lead to this hyperprogression, with the goal of developing targeted therapies that could improve patient outcomes. By analyzing tissue samples and using advanced mouse models, researchers hope to uncover new strategies to counteract this aggressive cancer behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with SMARCB1-deficient renal malignancies, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of hyperprogression in SMARCB1-deficient tumors are being explored, similar research has shown promise in understanding immune responses in other aggressive cancers, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Msaouel, Pavlos — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Msaouel, Pavlos
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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.