Developmental Research Programs
The Developmental Research Program of the DF/HCC Kidney Cancer Program is intended to attract established investigators to the field of kidney cancer in order to develop new ideas of investigation which may change the field or be developed into full projects in the SPORE
The objectives of the Developmental Projects Program are to ensure a continual renewal of high-quality scientific endeavors in the DF/HCC Kidney Cancer SPORE and to fund efforts that will complement or enhance the overall quality of the DF/HCC Kidney Cancer SPORE
Specific aims:
- Solicit applications and/or identify novel kidney cancer research projects
- Evaluate these projects for funding
- Fund innovative developmental projects
- Re-evaluate projects for possible transition into full project status
- Evaluate the success of the program
Awarded in 2020
Dissecting the Spatial Patterns of ccRCC Genomic Subtypes with Deep Learning
Investigator: E. Van Allen (DFCI)
Lysosomal Metabolism: A Novel Driver of Chromophobe RCC
Investigator: E. Henske (BWH)
IDENTIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF IMMUNE TARGETS TO AUGMENT PD-1/VEGFR2 DIRECTED THERAPY
Investigator: A. Sharpe (HMS)
Awarded in 2019
TARGETING TFE3 FUSIONS IN XP11.2-TRANSLOCATIN RENAL CELL CARCINOMA
Investigator: S. Viswanathan (DFCI)
UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVING CD8+ T CELL SPECIFICITY AND FUNCTION IN RCC
Investigator: C. Wu (DFCI)
TEAD Inhibitors
Investigator: C. Yi (Georgetown University)
IDENTIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF IMMUNE TARGETS TO AUGMENT PD-1/VEGFR2 DIRECTED THERAPY
Investigator: Ar. Sharpe (HMS)
Awarded in 2018
Defining the Mechanism of EXH1 Dependency in VHL Deficient Renal Cancer
Investigator: A. Chakraborty (DFCI)
Using Single Cell Transciptomics to Understand Tumor and Immune Hetergeneity in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: C. Wu (DFCI)
Awarded in 2017
Detecting and Targeting Mitochondrial Vulnerabilities in Kidney Cancer
Investigator: R. Gopal (MGH)
Explore Novel Functions of YAP/TAZ in Kidney Cancer Cell Metabolism
Investigator: C. Yi (Georgetown University)
Awarded in 2015
Physical Detection of HLA Binding Peptides to Identify and Predicts Immunogenic Personal Neopitopes in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: D. Keskin (DFCI)
Circulating Tumor DNA as a Prognostic and Predicative Biomarker in Renal Cell
Carcinoma
Investigator: D. Kwiatkowski (BWH)
Construction of Tissue Microarrays from Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professional’s Follow-up Study cohorts for future molecular epidemiological studies in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: M. Preston (BWH)
Awarded in 2014
Angiotensin System Inhibitor as a means to Increase the Effectiveness of VEGFR Inhibition
Investigator: R. Bhatt (BIDMC)
Physical Detection of HLA Binding Peptides to Identify and Predicts Immunogenic Personal Neopitopes in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: D. Keskin (DFCI)
Awarded in 2013
Implicating the Stem Cell Factor in Lin28 in Kidney Development and Wilms Tumor
Investigator: G. Daley (BCH)
Biomarkers for Temsirolimus Activity in Advanced Renal Cell carcinoma: Genomics, Genetics Polymorph isms and Protein Expression
Investigator: S. Signoretti and T. Choueiri (DFCI/BWH)
Overcoming Tumor Immunoevasion
Investigator: G. Freeman and A. Sharpe (DFCI/HMS)
Induction of Oncomirs by Rapamycin Role in Tumor Response
Investigator: E. Henske (BWH)
Awarded in 2012
Molecular Relationship between NF2 and VHL in Renal Cancer
Investigator: A. McClatchey (MGH)
Reversal of Sunitinib Induced Modifications of the Tumor ECM and MDSC Recruitment by HDM2 Antagonism
Investigator: D. Panka (BIDMC)
KIM 1 as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target of RCC
Investigator: V. Sabbisetti (BWH)
The Molecular Pathogenesis of Chromophobe RCC
Investigator: E. Henske (BWH)
Awarded in 2011
The Role of Genetic Polymorphisms and Recurrence in Renal Call Carcinoma
Investigator: Toni Choueiri (DFCI)
Role of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in the Development or Resistance to Antiangiogenic Agents in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: Shudong Zhu (BIDMC)
PKP4 and Cell Adhesion in the Pathogenesis of Chromophobe RCC
Investigator: Elizabeth Henske (BWH)
Evaluation Compartive Effectivenes of Open and Minimally Invasive Kidney Surgery: Patient-Reported Quality of Life Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness
Investigator: Andrew Wagner (BWH)
Awarded in 2010
Preclinical Validation of HIF2a Inhibitors
Investigator: Othon Iliopoulos, MD (MGH)
Synergy Between the HDM2/HDMX Antagonist AT-210 and the VEGFR2 Antagonist Sunitinib in the Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: David Panka, PhD (BIDMC)
Immunotherapy of RENCA tumor by boosting host anti-tumor immune responses through dual blockade of CTLA4 and PD-1
Investigator: Cai, G (DFCI)
Validation of Novel Strategies for Renal Cell Cancer
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD and Kung, A (BIDMC, DFCI)
Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Routine Percutaneous Renal Biopsy in the Management of Small Renal Masses
Investigator: Chang, S (BWH)
Awarded in 2009
Glycoproteomic analysis of Renal Cell Carcinoma biomarkers
Investigator: Othon Iliopoulos, MD (MGH)
PD-1 Blockade in Conjunction with DC/RCC Fusion Cell Vaccination: Pre-Clinical Studies in Preparation for Clinical Trial
Investigator: Jacalyn Rosenblatt, MD (BIDMC)
Autophagy and Kidney Cancer: Determining the Role of Autophagy Regulators in RCC and Their Cooperitivity with TORC1 Inhibitors
Investigator: Thomas, S (BIDMC)
Clinical, Histological and Molecular Determinants of Bilateral RCC
Investigator: Sabina Signoretti, MD and Toni Choueiri, MD (BWH, DFCI)
Awarded in 2008
Role of defects in IFNg signaling in escape from VEGFR inhibition
Investigator: Rupal Bhatt, MD (VHL) (BIDMC)
Analgesic Use and the Risk of RCC
Investigator: Eunyoung Cho., Sc.D and Toni Choueiri, M.D. (KCA) (BWH, DFCI)
Awarded in 2007
Development of mouse orthotopic xenografts of human renal cell carcinoma (2nd year)
Investigator: Sabina Signoretti, MD (BWH)
STAT-Mediated modulation of HIF signaling: Molecular strategies for the treatment of RCC
Investigator: David Frank, PhD (DFCI)
Potential Synergy Between Triterpenoids and NADPH Oxidase Inhibitors in the Treatment of RCC
Investigator: David Panka, PhD, Daniel Cho, MD, and James Mier, MD (BIDMC)
LDH-A Inhibitors for the treatment of Fumarate Hydratase (FH) Associated Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC)
Investigator: Vikas Sukhatme, MD, PhD (BIDMC)
Identification of Novel Proteins that Inhibit HIF mRNA Translation
Investigator: Michael Zimmer, PhD (MGH)
Identification of new drugs for treatment of RCC patients using gene signatures and the Connectivity Map database
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD, Vikas Sukhatme, MD, PhD (BIDMC)
Awarded in 2006
PET evaluation of RCC metastases using high-affinity human anti-CAIX monoclonal antibodies with optimized pharmacokinetic properties
Investigator: Wayne A. Marasco, MD, PhD and Anna M. Wu, PhD (DFCI)
The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl, a novel therapeutic target in renal cell cancer
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD and Luiz Zerbini, PhD (BIDMC)
Development of mouse orthotopic xenografts of human renal cell carcinoma
Investigator: Sabina Signoretti, MD (BWH)
STAT-Mediated modulation of HIF signaling: Molecular strategies for the treatment of RCC
Investigator: David Frank, PhD (DFCI)
The effect of anti-angiogenic drugs on tumor mediated immune suppression and response to the DC/renal cell carcinoma fusion vaccine
Investigator: Corie Lenahan, MD, Jacalyn Rosenblatt, MD, and David Avigan, MD (BIDMC)
A drosophila genetic screen for target identification in VHL-HIF signaling
Investigator: Othon Iliopoulos, MD (MGH)
VEGF receptor-targeted therapy of renal cell carcinoma: mechanisms of innate and acquired resistance
Investigator: S.Nahum Goldberg, MD and James Mier, MD (BIDMC)
Awarded in 2005
Improved magnetic resonance imaging of body tumor blood flow for monitoring of response to anti-angiogenic therapy
Investigator: David C. Alsop, PhD and Neil Rofsky, MD (BIDMC)
Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Sporadic Wilms Tumor
Investigator: Daniel Haber MD, PhD and Miguel Rivera, PhD (MGH)
Molecular Analysis of Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) Arrays
Investigator: Sabina Signoretti, MD and Holger Moch, MD (BWH)
Phenotypic and functional characteristics of human T cells stimulated ex vivo with dendritic cell/tumor fusion cells and expanded using the Xcellerate process
Investigator: David Avigan, MD and Jacalyn Rosenblatt, MD (BIDMC)
The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl, a novel therapeutic target in renal cell cancer
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD and Luiz Zerbini, PhD (BIDMC)
Role of angiopoietin like 4 (ANGPTL4) as a VegF independent pro-angiogenesis factor
Investigator: Pankaj Seth, PhD (BIDMC)
Awarded in 2004
Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Sporadic Wilms Tumor
Investigator: Daniel Haber MD, PhD and Miguel Rivera, PhD (MGH)
A Genetic Model for Target Identification in VHL-HIF Signaling
Investigator: Spyros Artavanis-Tsakona, PhD (MGH)
Molecular Analysis of Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) Arrays
Investigator: Sabina Signoretti, MD and Holger Moch, MD (BWH)
Role of Carbonic Anhydrase IX in Proliferation and Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: Seth L. Alper, MD, PhD (BIDMC)
Genetic Classification of Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD and Jon Jones, MD (BIDMC)
A Phase II Multi-center Study of Rapamycin for Treating Kidney Angiomyolipomas
Investigator: Sandra Dabora, MD, PhD (BWH)
Pro-Apoptotic TRAIL-directed Therapies for Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: Aria F. Olumi, MD (BIDMC)
Awarded in 2003
Functional Analysis of the BHD Tumor Suppressor Protein
Investigator: Othon Iliopoulos, MD (MGH)
Genetic Classification of Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer
Investigator: Towia Libermann, PhD and Jon Jones, MD (BIDMC)
The Role of Bone-Targeted Therapy with Zoledronic Acid in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigator: M.Dror Michaelson, MD S/C to Heymach (MGH, BCH)
Evaluation of the Mechanism of Action of the Raf Inhibitor BAY 43-9006 against Renal Cell Cancer and Potential Synergy with Akt Inhibitors
Investigator: David Panka, PhD and James Mier, MD (BIDMC)