Research
KCA has awarded
OVER $7 MILLION
in research funding since 1995 to over 70 researchers.
The awardees have expanded over the years to include a variety of institutions both in the US and international as well as an increasing number of female researchers, reflecting the overall growth of the field.
Nearly 100 publications acknowledge KCA as a funding source since 2018 alone, underscoring the KCA’s impact as a driver of research progress.
The KCA Research Program
We Believe in Research
The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) has a long tradition of supporting innovation in medical research. Since 1995, our research awards have advanced critical studies in immunotherapy, helped identify new mechanisms for tumor suppression, and shed light on genomic factors that predispose people to rare forms of kidney cancer. At the same time, critical early career funding for talented researchers and clinicians propelled many awardees to become key opinion leaders in the field today.
The KCA made strides that led to many drug approvals and treatment options available to patients today. These achievements have cemented the KCA’s commitment to drawing top talent to kidney cancer research.
Looking ahead, the KCA is accelerating the next breakthrough by funding projects that challenge conventional thinking and explore uncharted territories. These initiatives have the potential to unveil new ways to understand and treat kidney cancer in the hope of transforming patient’s lives for the better.
Why We Fund
Researchers face two primary challenges in achieving groundbreaking research milestones:
Challenge 1: Underfunded Early-Career Scientists
An academic medical researcher is largely dependent on federally funded grants, which often go to established researchers who have accumulated data and published their research. Researchers don’t typically receive their first large grant from a funder like the National Institute of Health (NIH) until age 40, leaving young researchers with a multi-year gap in funding. The lack of available funding for new researchers with original ideas not only stalls their careers in academic research but it delays the breakthroughs they might discover if their research could come to fruition.
Challenge 2: Brain Drain
Funding research for young investigators in kidney cancer is crucial to retaining their expertise and dedication within the field. Without adequate support, these researchers might be compelled to shift their focus toward cancers with higher funding, potentially leading to a loss of specialized knowledge and innovative insights specific to kidney cancer research.
“The KCA, in collaboration with the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO, was the first organization to support research for renal medullary carcinoma in 2017. That initial seed funding supported the research that inspired my 2018 Young Investigator Award to investigate the mechanisms of treatment resistance that aggressive kidney cancers may utilize.”
Dr. Pavlos Msaouel, MD, Anderson Cancer Center
2017 ASCO Young Investigator Award, supported by the KCA
2018 KCA David Swanson Research Scholar Award
2021 KCA Advanced Discovery Award
KCA Solves these challenges by:
Solution 1: Cultivate Novel Kidney Cancer Research
The KCA Award Program aims to cultivate talented researchers engaged in novel kidney cancer investigations and breaking scientific boundaries. Awards may be given in partnership with, for example, fellow advocacy groups, individual donors, philanthropic foundations, or industry partners.
Other award opportunities are available in conjunction with KCA Affiliate Partner organizations and may focus, for example, on supporting research in rare subtypes of kidney cancer like chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC), papillary RCC, translocation RCC, and renal medullary carcinoma (RMC).
Solution 2: A Platform for Research and Collaboration
The KCA believes that scientists should be supported in their efforts within the community through funds and collaboration, in addition to having the opportunity to share that research within the community. We offer multiple programs and spaces that encourage collaboration among mentors and peers for shared research and a platform to present that data.
The KCA organizes two International Kidney Cancer Symposiums (IKCS) meetings every year in North America and Europe, specialized workshops, and think tanks. KCA grant awardees have a special opportunity to present their research in front of the scientific community, network, and plan their next step in building a successful career in kidney cancer research.
“We will not rest until we find new therapies for RCC. I started my journey in 2007, and the commitment to RCC remains unwavering. Thank you for the KCA who was present from early days and continues here with these important grants to fund the next generation of targets and trials!”
Dr. Toni Choueiri, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
2021 KCA Advanced Discovery Award
Our Impact
Through our unwavering commitment and strategic funding, the KCA has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research, driving advancements that are transforming the future of kidney cancer treatment for more than 30 years. You can explore the profound impact of our work in these academic publications that have resulted directly from our funding.
Publications:
Transforming Kidney Cancer Research
The Kidney Cancer Association has a long tradition of funding innovation in medical research. Since 1995, our research awards have advanced critical studies in immunotherapy, helped identify new mechanisms for tumor suppression, and shed light on rare forms of kidney cancer. Early funding propelled many talented researchers to become key opinion leaders in the field today. These achievements have cemented the KCA’s commitment to supporting groundbreaking research that benefits patients and families impacted by kidney cancer.
Apply for Funds
The KCA’s 2025 Award Program will open in Spring 2025
KCA’s Research Focus
Research Initiatives
The KCA moves research further and faster by serving as the hub of collaborative research in ways that institutions alone cannot. We bring together patients, doctors, researchers, and other key stakeholders together to advocate as a unified force against kidney cancer.
In addition to our Research Award Program, we spearhead groundbreaking initiatives, driving progress and research in areas such as:
Big Data and Precision Medicine
Harnessing big data is revolutionizing cancer research by providing insights that were previously unattainable. Through strategic data partnerships, the KCA is leveraging extensive clinical and molecular data to drive precision oncology research. This data-driven approach allows researchers to identify patterns, test hypotheses, and accelerate the development of personalized treatments, with the ultimate goal to transform patient care.
Pediatric Cancer Research
Pediatric cancer research, with a focus on Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma (tRCC), is critical in understanding and treating this rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer in children. The KCA is committed to supporting research initiatives that explore the unique genetic and biological characteristics of tRCC, aiming to develop targeted therapies and improve survival rates for affected children. The KCA also advocates for other types of pediatric kidney tumors, most commonly Wilms tumor.
Rare Kidney Cancer Research
The KCA is dedicated to advancing research on rare kidney cancers, including Chromophobe RCC, Papillary RCC, and Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC). These rare kidney cancer types present unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment, and the KCA funds innovative studies that seek to uncover new therapeutic approaches and improve outcomes for patients with these less common forms of kidney cancer.
Real World Evidence
Real-world evidence (RWE) is becoming increasingly important in understanding how treatments affect people outside of controlled clinical trials. The KCA supports research that utilizes RWE to assess the efficacy and impact of therapies and care practices in broader patient populations, providing critical insights that inform clinical practice and guide future research efforts.
Psychosocial Research and Patient Support
Understanding the psychosocial aspects of living with kidney cancer is essential for improving patient quality of life. The KCA conducts and supports research through qualitative and quantitative surveys, as well as patient focus groups, to explore the emotional, psychological, and social challenges faced by patients and their families. These insights inform and guide research projects, helping to develop interventions that provide comprehensive support and improve the overall patient experience.
Microbiome, Genomics, and Innovative Biological Research
The exploration of the human microbiome, genomics, and other innovative biological factors is opening new frontiers in cancer research. Emerging studies suggest that the microbiome and genomic alterations, along with other biological processes, may significantly influence kidney cancer development, progression, and patient response to treatments. With kidney cancer patients being diagnosed at increasingly younger ages, the KCA has a special interest in understanding how these biological factors contribute to early-onset kidney cancer. We are committed to funding research that delves into these cutting-edge areas, aiming to uncover novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and personalized treatment strategies that could revolutionize kidney cancer care.
Related Projects
Mentorship and Leadership Development in Kidney Cancer
The KCA is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders in kidney cancer research through programs like the KCA Mentorship Academy. This initiative provides young clinicians with personalized mentorship from renowned experts, fostering the development of future leaders who will drive innovation in kidney cancer research and treatment.
Donate to Research
Because of you, we can accelerate the pace of discovery and application, ensuring quicker advancements for patients and families who desperately need them. Every donation you make fuels groundbreaking research, empowers scientists to push boundaries, and brings us closer to innovative treatments and, ultimately, a cure.