Research Programs

Disease-based Programs

Kidney Cancer

Leadership and Staff

Program Leader: Michael B. Atkins, MD

Program Co-Leader: Othon Iliopoulos, MD

Renal Cancer Program

The Kidney Cancer Program conducts basic research into the molecular basis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The goal of this research is to identify meaningful biomarkers for early detection and prognosis, novel therapeutic targets, and potential therapies.

DF/HCC renal cancer researchers have been awarded a prestigious “Specialized Program of Research Excellence” (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute. This is the only SPORE ever awarded for the study of kidney cancer.

Through this research, the Kidney Cancer Program hopes to better understand the mechanisms contributing to renal cancer development and the factors contributing to disparate clinical outcomes.

The Kidney Cancer Program also conducts clinical investigations across most stages of the disease to identify more effective treatments and better ways of predicting who should receive a particular therapy.

The Kidney Cancer Program has eight specific aims:

Identify and validate novel targets in RCC
Establish preclinical models for testing novel therapeutic agents
Identify biomarker(s) for early detection and disease recurrence
Identify molecular and biologic predictors of response to various therapies
Improve minimally invasive therapy
Investigate novel immunotherapies
Leverage Program and SPORE infrastructure to facilitate investigation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) pathway targeted therapy, both alone and in combination
Establish an educational program for DF/HCC and the greater New England region

Future Goals

Identify surrogate markers that predict benefit (imaging, blood, and tissue)
Identify rational ways for using available therapeutic agents in combination
Evaluate mechanisms of resistance to VHL targeted agents and treatment strategies for patients with resistant disease
Expand application of these agents to patients with resected high-risk disease and in conjunction with minimally invasive therapy (radiofrequency ablation)

Value Added

New anti-angiogenic and target therapeutic agents show promising antitumor activity
These agents are poised to receive regulatory approval for use in patients with renal cancer.
The DF/HCC Renal Cancer Program effort will help determine how, when to, and in whom to use these agents.

News/Events:

Genentech, Inc. Kidney Cancer Career Development Award: RFA Due 04/18/08

Kidney Cancer Program Newsletter: Spring 2006; Winter 2006; Summer 2007; Winter 2008

Kidney Cancer Developmental Project Award: No awards will be made in 2008

Kidney Cancer Program 4th Annual Symposium: Jimmy fund Auditorium 06/26/08