DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS

NEWS RELEASE

Released: March 24, 2011

Kidney Cancer Research Investment Through the
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Totals Nearly $3.7 million

Investment: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) investment in kidney cancer research spans the scope of genetics, biomarkers, signal transduction pathways and nanotechnology. Kidney cancer research has been funded through two programs at the CDMRP that receive topics lists from Congress, first through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) and then in Fiscal year 2010 (FY10) through the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP).

Kidney cancer research studies funded through the PRMRP total $2,761,102 for the following studies:

  • Geoffrey Clark, University of Louisville
    "The Role of the RASSF1A Chemosuppressor in Kidney Cancer"
    Investigator-Initiated Research Award
  • Maria Czyzyk-Krzeska, University of Cincinnati
    "Identification of Genes in Kidney Cancer Oncogenesis"
    Investigator-Initiated Award
  • Richard Drake, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Alexander Parker, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Jacksonville
    "Tissue and Metabolomic Biomarkers of Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma"
    Investigator-Initiated Research Award

In FY09, the PRCRP funded kidney cancer research through the topic area of non-invasive cancer ablation treatment including selective targeting with nanoparticles. The FY09 PRCRP invested $599,933 in kidney cancer research for the following study:

  • Suzy Torti with pre-doctoral fellow Peter Alexander, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    "Targeted Nanoparticles for Kidney Cancer Therapy"
    Mentor-Predoctoral Fellow Research Award

To view the Public and Technical Abstracts for these awards use the Search Awards function on the CDMRP web site (https://cdmrp.army.mil/search.aspx).

The FY10 CDMRP-funded kidney cancer research will be made through the PRCRP. These awards are currently in negotiations; check back on the CDMRP web site to view abstracts which will be posted after negotiations are completed.

Consumer Involvement: Consumer advocates are involved in many of the steps in the CDMRP program cycle working on various panels with scientists and clinicians to develop a program investment strategy, conduct scientific peer review of applications, and make funding recommendations. Consumers generate a sense of urgency for these processes by connecting their community�s experience with the research. Working side-by-side with scientists and clinicians to review research proposals, they discuss with their colleagues the potential impact that research will have on their lives and the lives of others affected by kidney cancer. The CDMRP is grateful for the dedication of these individuals affected by kidney cancer who have participated in the CDMRP processes:

  • Fred Atkin
    Action to Cure Kidney Cancer
  • Christopher Battle
    Action to Cure Kidney Cancer
  • Michael Lawing
    Kidney Cancer Association
  • John Miller
    Kidney Cancer Association
  • Sarah Wise
    Kidney Cancer Association
  • Ken Youner
    Action to Cure Kidney Cancer

Point of Contact: