Breakthrough Kidney Cancer Research Aims to Transform Diagnosis & Treatment
PHASE ONE Foundation is pleased to announce a $140,000 Medical Grant to Jennifer Linehan, MD at Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center to support ground-breaking oncologic research aimed at developing new blood and urine tests for kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which could revolutionize early detection and patient monitoring.
Kidney cancer affects nearly 90,000 people in the United States each year, leading to approximately 18,000 deaths annually.
RCC accounts for approximately 85% of all kidney cancer cases and is known for its aggressive nature and high propensity for metastasis, making early detection and effective monitoring critical.
Kidney cancer often advances silently, with patients rarely showing clinical symptoms until the tumor has grown large enough to metastasize. As a result, many patients learn they have kidney cancer incidentally after undergoing an imaging test like a CT scan or MRI.
However, these imaging techniques cannot reliably differentiate between cancerous growths and those that are harmless— meaning some patients may face unnecessary surgeries while others might experience delayed or improper treatment, allowing the disease to progress unchecked.
Additionally, unlike other common cancers, once kidney cancer is diagnosed, there are no existing blood or urine tests to assess the aggressiveness of the cancer or predict recurrence.
These significant gaps in care highlight the urgent need for innovative diagnostic methods that can deliver timely and accurate assessments of kidney lesions, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and a reduced long-term impact of the disease.
In response to this unmet need, Dr. Linehan and her team at Saint John’s Cancer Institute are pioneering a research initiative to develop tests that leverage microRNAs (cfmiRs) as potential biomarkers. These tiny, yet powerful, molecules can provide vital insights into cancer. Previous studies have shown that these cfmiRs can be detected in both blood and urine, indicating their potential for non-invasive diagnostic approaches.
“My hope is that we can find a feasible way to diagnose kidney cancer by developing a blood and/or urine test that allows us to assess which patients are at risk for metastasis and recurrence. We are grateful to the PHASE ONE Foundation for its generous support and partnership in our journey to accomplish these aims, which will have a tremendous impact on our patients and beyond.” – Jennifer Linehan, MD, Director of Urology Translational Research, Associate Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology at Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center.
The proposed study will analyze cfmiRs collected from blood and urine samples from at least 65 patients each year over three years. By comparing the cfmiR profiles in these biofluids to those obtained from cancerous tissue, the research aims to identify unique patterns that can inform clinicians about the presence of RCC, its aggressiveness, and its chances of recurrence. This method promises to decrease the need for invasive procedures like biopsies, which can be uncomfortable and may not always yield clear insights.
Using advanced techniques such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), this research aims to craft a comprehensive diagnostic panel for RCC that integrates these cfmiR analyses. The anticipated benefits include increased accuracy in diagnosing kidney cancer and developing targeted monitoring strategies that ultimately lead to tailored treatments and enhanced survival rates for patients.
"We are excited to support Dr. Linehan’s essential research. This work has the potential to transform the way kidney cancer is diagnosed and monitored, paving the way for better patient care and improved outcomes.” – Marc Lebowitz, PHASE ONE Granting Co-Chair
This research represents a vital step toward a future where kidney cancer can be detected and monitored more effectively, ultimately improving treatment options and patients' quality of life. By unlocking new insights into the biology of kidney cancer through the study of cfmiRs, Dr. Linehan aims to make early detection a reality for more patients, creating a significant impact on the future of cancer care.