Preventing Radiation-Induced Podocyte Injury and Nephrotoxicity in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Abstract
Radiation therapy has helped improve the relative survival rate in renal cell carcinoma survivors. Radiation therapy-induced renal toxicities remain unavoidable and a major clinical challenge in renal cell carcinoma survivors. While ionizing radiation is known to cause hepatic toxicity via adversely affecting hepatic cholesterol metabolism, it is not known if such mechanism also underlies radiation therapy-induced renal toxicity. No effective clinical treatments prevent radiation-associated nephrotoxicities or ameliorate radiation-associated kidney impairment. This knowledge gap has prevented the development of effective drugs that can prevent or minimize the effects of radiation-induced nephrotoxicities for patients treated with radiotherapy. This proposal aims to investigate the novel mechanism that may help identify new drug targets for the prevention or treatment of radiation-induced nephrotoxicity in survivors of renal cell carcinoma. The area of emphasis addressed in this application is Treatments/Survivorship-Managing Toxicity. The estimated new cases and deaths from kidney (renal cell and renal pelvis) cancer in the United States in 2014 were 63,920 and 13,860, respectively. The substantial economic burden of renal cell carcinoma, with estimated annual costs, ranges from $0.6 billion to $5.2 billion in 2009 in the United States. This research project is well aligned with the award s goals, which are aimed at preventing renal cancer-associated deaths and improving the health and welfare of Americans, including military Service Members, Veterans, and their families. This proposal is innovative as the role of intracellular cholesterol and the pathogenesis of podocyte injury in radiation nephrotoxicities has never been explored. To match innovation with adequate expertise, we have assembled a unique team of investigators, including podocyte biologists, lipid biologists, pathologists, and nephrologists.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210305
Entities
People
- Anis Ahmad
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Miami