SPORE Award

  • Established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1992, the SPORE program seeks to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary, translational cancer research
  • Cornerstone of NCI Translational Research Program
  • Recognizes programs of excellence with funding to advance scientific discoveries into treatments
  • Across over 60 awards, one of only two that focus on kidney cancer, the other at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.

UT Southwestern Kidney Cancer SPORE

AWARDED
2016
RENEWED
2022
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D., and Payal Kapur, M.D.
AMOUNT
$11.5 million
project1

PROJECT 1

Building on the research success that culminated in the development and eventual FDA approval of a first-in-class HIF-2a inhibitor (Belzutifan) during the first cycle of SPORE funding, UT Southwestern researchers continue to leverage their expertise of HIF-2a to combat resistance mutations they identified and to develop novel radiology tests to monitor HIF-2a in patients.

Lead Investigators
  • James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Xiankai Sun, Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)

PROJECT 2

Continuing the pioneering research of the In Vivo Metabolism Lab funded by the previous SPORE cycle, Project 2 aims to develop innovative treatments by focusing on glutamine dependency and potential druggable interventions to bypass the limited efficacy of glutaminase inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma.

Lead Investigators
  • Ralph J. DeBerardinis, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Kevin Courtney, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)

PROJECT 3

While most immunotherapy approaches to kidney cancer focus on the adaptive immune response, Project 3 leverages the previous Breakthrough Prize research by Zhijian Chen to activate the innate immune system utilizing a novel drug, IMSA101. Combined with radiation therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, researchers aim to simultaneously activate both ‘arms’ of the immune system to maximize anti-tumor immune response.

Lead Investigators
  • Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Zhijian (James) Chen, Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
Advanced Imaging Core​

Having developed new radiology tests currently being evaluated in patients, and assisting with radiology interpretation, the Advanced Imaging Core is advancing the mission of the SPORE.

Data Analytics Core

By developing new technologies, such as Kidney Cancer Explorer, the data analytics core enables multidisciplinary research.

Pathology Core

Supporting the SPORE through the storage, annotation and distribution of patient samples and the creation of transplant and other animal models.

Admin Core

Organizing hub

Developmental Research Program

Seed funding supporting kidney cancer projects with transformative potential.

Career Enhancement Program

Drawing new investigators to kidney cancer research.

PROJECT 2

Building upon discoveries of the In Vivo Metabolism Lab established in the previous SPORE cycle, Project 2 aims to develop innovative treatments exploiting glutamine addiction in renal cancer that bypass the limited efficacy of glutaminase inhibitors.

Lead Investigators
  • Ralph J. DeBerardinis, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Kevin Courtney, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)

PROJECT 3

While most immunotherapy approaches to kidney cancer focus on inducing and amplifying an adaptive immune response, Project 3 leverages the previous Breakthrough Prize Discovery by KCP researcher Zhijian Chen, to activate the innate immune system against renal cell carcinoma. By utilizing a novel immunotherapy they developed (IMSA101), radiation therapy, and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, researchers aim to activate both ‘arms’ of the immune system to develop a new treatment for metastatic kidney cancer patients.

Lead Investigators
  • Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)
  • Zhijian (James) Chen, Ph.D.
    (Project Co-Leader)