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Kidney cancer

Our scientists conduct world-class clinical and translational research to benefit patients with kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer. 

Our kidney cancer research has uncovered underlying causes of the disease, and has led to the development of new and better treatments and technologies that could treat it.  

Meet our researchers

Xenopus cancer kidney cells interphase Paul Andrews 945x532

Image: Xenopus cancer kidney cells in interphase. Credit: Paul Andrews via The Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0

Our progress against kidney cancer

Genetic risk

An ICR team including Professor Richard Houlston recently found seven new genetic variants that are linked to an increased chance of developing renal cell carcinoma. Their analysis provided evidence that a person’s susceptibility to this cancer type is linked to the combined effect of multiple genetic mutations.

Ultrasound

The ICR has pioneered a technology that uses ultrasound to destroy tumours without the need for surgery. The technique uses highly targeted sound waves to heat and destroy cells inside the body and is known as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Currently, Professor Gail ter Haar’s and the Therapeutic Ultrasound Team are undertaking research to improve our understanding of how high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) could rapidly heat and kill liver and kidney tumours.

Clinical research

Researchers at the ICR also work closely with colleagues at our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden, in clinical studies that could lead to new treatments for people with kidney cancers.

For example, the ICR’s Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit is currently co-leading a trial called A-PREDICT, in collaboration with The Royal Marsden’s Professor James Larkin, to establish if people with advanced kidney cancer who cannot have surgery could benefit from treatment with the targeted cancer drug axitinib.

And the TRANSORCE study – a sub-study of the SORCE kidney cancer trial – is exploring the mechanism of action of the drug sorafenib in kidney cancer and could improve the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from it.

My diagnosis was completely unexpected – after becoming ill one day in 2017, I was rushed to hospital, and it was discovered I had kidney cancer which had spread to my brain.

I had surgery to remove my kidney and reduce the secondary tumour in my brain, and then started taking targeted medications which I’ve been on ever since. My latest scans showed a 64% reduction in size of the remaining tumour in my brain, and I’m feeling very hopeful for the future.

— Neil Fairbrother

Headshot of Neil Fairbrother
 

Meet our researchers

Professor Gail ter Haar

Find out more about Gail ter Haar and her team.

Professor Gail ter Haar

Professor Richard Houlston

Richard Houlston's research focuses on genetic susceptibility to cancer. He is Head of the Division of Genetics and Epidemiology.

Professor Richard Houlston

Professor James Larkin

Find out more about James Larkin and his team.

Professor James Larkin

Dr Samra Turajlic

Find out more about Samra Turajlic and her team.

Dr Samra Turajlic