Grant Details
| Grant Number: |
1R01CA308071-01 Interpret this number |
| Primary Investigator: |
Signoretti, Sabina |
| Organization: |
Brigham And Women'S Hospital |
| Project Title: |
Optimizing Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Anti-Pd-1 Therapy for Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma |
| Fiscal Year: |
2026 |
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY (24/30 lines)
This proposal seeks to improve the management and survival of patients with localized renal cell carcinoma
(RCC) at high risk of relapse by optimizing the utilization of anti-PD-1 therapy in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant
settings. Despite surgical management, approximately 30% of patients with localized RCC develop metastatic
disease, which remains largely incurable. Anti-PD-1-based therapies have shown efficacy in treating metastatic
RCC, but inconsistent clinical trial results indicate a need for more precise patient selection for the
implementation of these therapies in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Our multidisciplinary team has
substantial experience in translational kidney cancer research and proposes to utilize the unique of collection of
tissue and blood/plasma specimens from the EA8143 PROSPER (NCT03055013) trial to achieve the following
aims:
Aim 1. To identify tissue-based biomarkers that can predict benefit from neoadj/adj anti-PD-1 therapy in localized
RCC. We plan to analyze baseline (untreated) tissue samples to develop biomarkers, including somatic genetic
alterations and immune markers, that predict benefit from neoadjuvant/adjuvant nivolumab therapy relative to
observation.
Aim 2. To identify circulating plasma biomarkers that can predict benefit from neoadj/adj anti-PD-1 therapy in
localized RCC. We plan to analyze baseline (untreated) plasma samples to develop non-invasive biomarkers,
including circulating levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and chemokines/cytokines, that predict benefit
from neoadjuvant/adjuvant nivolumab therapy relative to observation.
Aim 3. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy in localized RCC. We plan
to test the hypothesis that neoadjuvant nivolumab leads to a reinvigorated anti-tumor immune response that
correlates with improved outcomes following neoadjuvant/adjuvant nivolumab therapy. We plan to further
conduct exploratory analyses aimed at (i) identifying determinants of resistance to nivolumab therapy, and (ii)
characterizing putative tumor-specific T cells clones in relation to nivolumab therapy.
Overall, this project is likely to generate clinically meaningful results that have the potential to improve the
outcomes of patients with localized RCC who are at high risk of recurrence and death.
Publications
None