Understanding how obesity affects cancer treatment response in kidney cancer

Overcoming obesity-associated immunotherapy resistance in renal cancer

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11046641

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11046641 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults with advanced renal cancer who also have a body mass index classified as overweight or obese.

Not a fit: Patients with renal cancer who are of normal weight or underweight may not receive direct benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Birmingham, 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.
Conditions Advanced Canceranti-cancer immunotherapyanti-cancer therapy
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.