Novel Therapeutics:
Tumor-Directed RNA Therapeutics for Kidney Cancer: Overcoming Resistance with Precision siRNA
Dr. James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D.
- Director, Kidney Cancer Program
- Sherry Wigley Crow Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
- Professor of Internal Medicine (Hematology-Oncology)
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
This project is developing a new kind of RNA-based therapy that targets the root driver of kidney cancer, HIF-2α, by silencing the gene that makes it. Unlike current drugs, this approach works even when tumors become resistant and no longer respond to treatment. The therapy uses a delivery system that guides the RNA only into cancer cells, avoiding healthy organs like the liver and minimizing side effects. Backed by strong data in tumor models and first-in-human validation of the delivery approach, this strategy offers a more precise and scalable solution for hard-to-treat kidney cancer. It builds directly on UT Southwestern’s prior success with Peloton Therapeutics (acquired by Merck for $1.05B) and could establish a new wave of tumor-targeted RNA medicines.
