Understanding how obesity affects cancer treatment response in kidney cancer
Official title: Overcoming obesity-associated immunotherapy resistance in renal cancer
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11046641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight might affect how well immunotherapy works for people with advanced kidney cancer, and it aims to help understand when extra weight could make treatment better or worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 3, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $521,969 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269568-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with advanced renal cancer who also have a body mass index classified as overweight or obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with renal cancer who are of normal weight or underweight may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between obesity and the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating advanced renal cancer. It aims to identify the host factors that contribute to resistance against immunotherapy, particularly focusing on how obesity may influence treatment outcomes. By examining the immune response in patients with varying body mass indices, the study seeks to uncover when obesity might be beneficial or detrimental in the context of cancer treatment. The research employs a combination of clinical data analysis and laboratory studies to explore these dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy strategies for kidney cancer patients who are obese, enhancing their treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of obesity on cancer treatment, but this specific focus on renal cancer and immunotherapy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Norian, Lyse a — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Norian, Lyse a
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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.