Understanding How Kidney Cancer Spreads

ccRCC Metastatic Competency Determinants

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11138630

This research looks at what causes clear cell kidney cancer to spread to other parts of the body, aiming to help identify patients at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138630 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many kidney cancer patients face the challenge of their cancer spreading, which is called metastasis. This project focuses on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) to understand why some tumors spread while others do not. Researchers are studying tumor samples from patients whose kidney cancer has grown into blood vessels, a sign that it might spread. By comparing the genetic makeup of tumors that spread versus those that didn't, they hope to find specific factors that predict metastasis. This knowledge could help doctors better manage the disease and identify patients who need more aggressive treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to patients diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, especially those whose tumors have shown growth into blood vessels.

Not a fit: Patients with non-clear cell types of kidney cancer or those whose cancer has not shown signs of spreading into blood vessels may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict which kidney cancer patients are most likely to experience cancer spread, allowing for more personalized and effective treatment plans.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific determinants of metastatic competence in ccRCC are still being uncovered, previous research has shown that analyzing tumor characteristics can help predict cancer behavior.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.