Understanding how T cells change in a specific type of kidney cancer.
Official title: Elucidating T Cell Ferroptosis in Renal Medullary Carcinoma: 3D Genome Architecture Rewiring and Therapeutic Alleviation
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10977137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the structure of DNA in T cells changes in people with a rare kidney cancer called renal medullary carcinoma, especially in those with sickle cell disease, to help find better treatments and improve cancer care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $686,919 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA285454-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young individuals of African descent, particularly those with sickle cell disease who are diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with renal medullary carcinoma who do not have sickle cell disease or those with other types of kidney cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the three-dimensional structure of chromatin in T cells and how it is affected by the tumor environment in renal medullary carcinoma (RMC), a rare and aggressive kidney cancer. Using a technique called Hi-C, the researchers aim to identify the unique chromatin structures in T cells from patients with sickle cell disease compared to healthy individuals. By exploring these changes, the study seeks to uncover how they influence cancer outcomes and the effectiveness of immune therapies. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment options for patients suffering from RMC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapies for patients with renal medullary carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of examining 3D chromatin architecture in T cells in the context of RMC is novel, similar studies in other cancers have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Liuqing — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yang, Liuqing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Novel idea: Epstein-Barr virus and eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
A study explores whether Epstein-Barr virus could cause a type of eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
-
Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer
A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.
-
Understanding bladder cancer biology to find new biomarkers and therapies
A study at Tuskegee University will look at the molecules inside high-grade bladder cancer to discover new markers and potential treatment targets.
-
Oral cancer recurrence predictor using tumor microbes and gene activity
This NIH grant explores how bacteria and immune signals inside oral cancer tumors relate to whether the cancer comes back, with the aim of making a practical risk predictor for patients.
-
Understanding how bladder cancer starts in Veterans exposed to carcinogens and the role of PPAR-g in early bladder cancer
A research team is studying how bladder cancer begins and progresses in Veterans exposed to carcinogens, focusing on the PPAR-γ protein and early precancerous changes.
-
Adding PSMA PET/CT imaging to liver cancer care for veterans
This project tests a new PET imaging approach to help diagnose and guide treatment for liver cancer in veterans.
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.