Novel Therapeutic Target of Renal Medullary Carcinoma

Abstract

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare renal malignancy that has been associated with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. It occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults of African ancestry. RMC is aggressive, with a median survival rate of 13 months. Despite various therapies being explored and applied clinically, limited success has been seen. It is, therefore, necessary to identify new therapeutic targets for patient with RMC. Our prior data along with others identified the proteasome as a therapeutic target in RMC. Since monotherapy rarely leads to cure, we will interrogate previously identified targeted therapies with proteasome inhibitors to determine if there is an additive or synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesize that novel efficacious combination strategies using the proteasome inhibitor and another targeted therapy might benefit those military beneficiaries with children who are affected by RMC. Specifically, we will test the effect of inhibiting the cell cycle as well as inhibiting how TP53 is degraded on cell survival and tumor growth individually and in combination with proteasome inhibitors. Success of this grant will give children with RMC access to new therapeutic combinations and potentially improve outcomes for this aggressive renal tumor. The Department of Defense Kidney Cancer Research Program Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellowship Award will help the PI (Dr. Su) to achieve his long-term research interests in the development of becoming a kidney cancer researcher. Furthermore, it will provide the training opportunity for the PI to gain the experience needed to become an independent researcher. Dr. Hong, his mentor, is a pediatric oncologist and physician-scientist with significant experience in the treatment and research of childhood kidney cancer. Altogether, this award will provide PI the necessary experience to facilitate his successful transition into an independent kidney cancer investigator.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 04, 2024
Source ID
HT94252310609

Entities

People

  • Yongdong Su

Organizations

  • Emory University
  • United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Oncology