The Kidney Cancer Research Consortium, a Department of Defense-funded initiative, is advancing novel therapeutic combination strategies for renal cell carcinoma through a collaborative approach involving seven institutions. Dr. Eric Jonasch, professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, leads this congressionally designated medical research program that aims to accelerate kidney cancer research through tissue-rich, data-rich clinical trials.
Multi-Institutional Approach Enables Comprehensive Research
The consortium has been operational for over four years and has developed a portfolio of 10 clinical trials that have either completed, are in progress, or are about to open. According to Jonasch, this collaborative structure allows researchers to "ask more mechanistic and scientifically driven questions" while leveraging shared resources across participating institutions.
The program's design enables investigators to collect comprehensive correlative samples, including circulating tumor DNA samples and tissue samples, alongside quality of life data. This approach allows the consortium to "acquire more information from a smaller number of patients in a smaller amount of time" through trial-by-trial comparisons.
Novel Combination Strategies Target Immune Pathways
Current research efforts focus on enhancing established immune-modulating agent combinations with novel therapeutic approaches. The consortium is investigating combinations that build upon proven backbone therapies, including nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy) and cabozantinib (Cabometyx) plus nivolumab.
Among the specific novel agents being evaluated, investigators have completed a study with an A2A receptor inhibitor and are currently conducting a trial with relatlimab-rmbw, a LAG3 inhibitor. Another ongoing study combines an immunotherapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO-TKI) backbone with lutetium-177 (177Lu) girentuximab, an investigational radioisotope.
Research Infrastructure Supports Mechanistic Understanding
The consortium's structure facilitates hypothesis-testing clinical trials that go beyond traditional efficacy assessments. By collecting correlative samples and conducting mechanistic investigations, researchers aim to better understand the biological basis of treatment responses and resistance mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma.
Jonasch emphasized that these trials represent examples of studies designed to "improve on existing study platforms to develop better therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma." The consortium's approach of systematically building upon established therapeutic combinations with novel agents may provide the field with "better answers for better treatments" in kidney cancer management.
