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Proven radiotracer highly effective in detecting rare, aggressive kidney cancer

A new radiotracer, 18F-FDG PET/CT, has been shown to be highly effective in detecting rare and aggressive kidney cancer, renal medullary carcinoma (RMC). The tracer identified lesions in 98% of RMC patients and led to a change in treatment plan for 21% of patients with active disease, highlighting its potential to improve patient care.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 18, 2026

Giant-nucleus cells are key markers for early-stage cancer, study shows

Researchers at Nagoya University have identified giant-nucleus cells as precancerous markers in the kidneys, which emerge in response to iron toxicity and BRCA1 mutations. These cells exhibit cancer-related gene activity and can signal early cancer development in surrounding tissue, with distinct biological profiles in BRCA1-mutant rats.

SourceNagoya University·JournalRedox Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2026

Next generation theranostic pair offers new strategy to detect and treat metastatic kidney cancer

A new theranostic pair, 68Ga/177Lu-NYM096, shows excellent tumor uptake in clear cell renal cell carcinoma lesions and demonstrates early evidence of tumor response in patients. The radiotracer can identify tumors and deliver targeted radiotherapy, mitigating toxicity issues common with treatment.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 28, 2026

Alliance reports results from first randomized trial of a radiopharmaceutical in kidney cancer

The RadiCaL study, the first randomized trial of a radiopharmaceutical in kidney cancer, found that adding radium-223 to the standard of care does not improve skeletal event-free survival. Patients who received the combination treatment lived a median of 28.3 months, compared with 19.7 months for those who received cabozantinib alone.

SourceAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2026

Kidney cancer gene reveals an unexpected weakness and a new path for treatment

Researchers discover that kidney cancer cells lacking the tumor suppressor gene SETD2 become highly dependent on protein BCL-xL for survival. By targeting this dependency, they can selectively eliminate SETD2-deficient cancer cells, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for patients with aggressive subset of kidney cancers.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2026

Dana-Farber research supports FDA approval of pembrolizumab-belzutifan combination for higher-risk clear cell kidney cancer after surgery

The FDA has approved pembrolizumab and belzutifan as an adjuvant treatment for adult patients with renal cell carcinoma at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy. The combination resulted in a 28% decrease in risk of recurrence, metastasis or death, and 81% of participants remained cancer-free after 24 months.

Wilms tumors: How genes and imprinting pave the way for cancer

A study published in Genome Medicine has identified the underlying predisposition for Wilms' tumors, highlighting the role of mutations in tumor suppressor genes like WT1. The research also reveals a significant proportion of childhood kidney tumors have a hereditary component, with implications for genetic counseling and monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2025

Do lifetime body weight patterns affect kidney cancer risk?

New research suggests that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life and losing weight later in life may reduce the risk of kidney cancer. Higher BMI at various ages across adulthood was associated with increased risks of developing different types of kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma, papillary RCC, and chromophobe RCC.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 24, 2025

Cancer vaccine shows promise for patients with stage III and IV kidney cancer

A phase 1 trial of a personalized cancer vaccine for patients with stage III or IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed a positive response in all nine patients, with no higher-grade side effects reported. The vaccine generated a successful anti-cancer immune response and kept patients cancer-free at the time of data cut-off.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 5, 2025

A speckle of hope for cancer patients

A new study by Katherine Alexander and Shelley Berger has found a possible source of variability in cancer treatment response in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The researchers identified two distinct patterns of nuclear speckles in kidney tumors, which may correlate with patient outcomes.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 2, 2025