Research Areas

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center is one of just a few cancer centers nationwide to offer its patients to participate in a trial for a novel and more sensitive method of diagnosing kidney cancer. Pedro Barata, MD MSc FACP leads this study that provides patients with a special contrast specific to kidney cancer in conjunction with a PET scan. The study aims to assess the specificity and accuracy of the tracer in identifying kidney cancer compared to the standard CT or MRI l scans.  While PET scans are available for many tumors, the tracer normally used tests glucose metabolism and its role in kidney cancer is limited. The new kidney cancer-specific tracer, radiolabeled girentuximab (TLX250-CDx), is a monoclonal antibody that targets carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), a protein expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Results from a ZIRCON Phase 3 clinical trial, which enrolled 300 patients from 36 sites in nine countries, showed that the new tracer and PET scan are an improvement over current scans used for patients with renal tumors. Sensitivity and specificity averages across all three readers were 86% and 87%, respectively, confirming that the new process improves identification of clear cell renal carcinoma compared to conventional cross-sectional approaches. In addition, the clinical trial confirmed the safety and tolerability profile of TLX250-CDx.

Additionally, Sree Tirumani, MD and Adam Calaway, MD, MPH lead an NIH-funded trial that examines MRI finger printing to predict the kind of kidney cancer based on imaging. This is to help determine cancer histology before biopsy, which paves the way for more targeted, less invasive treatment, but I need more information.

Researchers are investigating novel immunotherapies and their efficacy in treating patients who no longer benefit from other treatments, to boost long-term survival among patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Several studies are underway to learn how to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy and conventional kidney cancer treatment by altering the microbiome. Prior research has shown that bacteria in the microbiome can contribute to the development of certain cancers. Likewise, studies have demonstrated an association between gut bacteria and response to immunotherapy. This knowledge provides a basis for researcher to develop more effective treatment with microbiome-based interventions and drugs designed to increase therapeutic effectiveness while reducing toxicity.

While treatment options for localized kidney cancer are standard, advances in technology, genomics and personalized medicine have fueled growth in treatment options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Still, more research is needed to optimize individual treatment plans based on patient-specific cancers. Researchers at UH Seidman Cancer Center are actively involved in the study of combination treatments to better understand what treatment combinations and strategies, including immunotherapy and targeted treatments, render then best clinical results and improve survival.

Ongoing research and clinical trials at University Hospitals aim to more precisely pinpoint the biological mechanisms underlying the development of renal cell carcinoma to identify new drug targets and maximize response to treatment, with standalone agents, or combination therapies. Improved therapeutic approaches help physicians control the spread of cancer cells, shrinking tumors and eliminating cancer altogether where possible.

• Researchers are also studying how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG)-targeted therapies control renal cell cancer growth. Novel anti-VEGF therapies are being investigated at UH through cutting edge clinical trials.
• Researchers are also studying HIF-2 Alpha inhibitors, a new class of therapeutic agents, and their effectiveness in treating metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. HIF-2 is a transcription factor that controls a group of genes that promote tumor growth. Studies have shown that HIF-2-targeting drugs can shrink clear cell kidney tumors. Scientists at University Hospitals are contributing to the body of clinical research that shows novel drugs that target and block HIF-2 to keep kidney cancer from spreading. We have a number of trials including testing novel HIF-2 alpha inhibitors in patients with advanced kidney cancers.

Surgery has long been the gold standard in treating patients with localized renal cell carcinoma. Researchers at University Hospitals are studying if surgery should be considered as a treatment option for patients with advanced kidney cancer. They are also investigating the efficacy of radiation in patients with stage IV kidney cancer.