Utilising EVNP as a model for studying kidney cancer v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Utilising Ex-Vivo Normothermic Perfusion (EVNP) as a model for studying human kidney cancer
IRAS ID
229689
Contact name
Grant Stewart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
A094504, R&D Reference Number
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Abnormal metabolism (chemical processes that occur in cells) has an essential role in kidney cancer growth and survival. By understanding these metabolic changes better in kidney cancer, we can improve diagnostic and prognostic assessments of kidney ‘masses’ (e.g. benign or cancer, and how aggressive the cancer is), which in turn optimises treatment. Discovery of metabolic-associated changes in kidney cancer may allow development of more targeted and tailored therapies for patients, and utilise these changes as a method of assessing patient treatment response.
Development of so-called 'liquid biopsies' in kidney cancer, where minute quantities of tumour DNA or circulating tumour cells are identified in the patient's blood or urine, would advance diagnosis and follow-up of patients with kidney cancer. These are challenging methods to develop directly from the human. A suitable model would allow more rapid development of these techniques.
Ex-vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) is an established model used in kidney transplantation research. After kidney removal surgery (known as a nephrectomy), EVNP allows a multitude of different experiments and assessments to occur in human kidneys that are perfused outside of the body. This study plans to develop a novel method of studying human kidney cancer metabolism and liquid biomarkers outside of the body by adapting this technique. Furthermore we will be able to rapidly evaluate the role of novel drugs in kidney cancer which may prove superior to using current animal models or human cell based work.
Patients diagnosed with renal masses that will undergo surgery at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge will be recruited into the study. The study does not in any way alter the clinical management for patients involved in this study. Patients will be consented for use of the kidney specimen, following their planned nephrectomy surgery, for research with this EVNP technique.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0266
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion