RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07038733

Investigation of Lymph Node Biology in Kidney Cancer

Characterizing the Tumor-draining Lymph Nodes and Other Immune Sites in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Sponsor

Yale University

Enrollment

10 participants

Start Date

Jan 30, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the phenotype, anti-tumor effector functions, and TCR repertoire of T cells isolated from patient tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) to understand T cell priming and trafficking patterns in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Data and biospecimen collected will be used for current and future research projects involving the study of kidney cancer biology and related medical conditions. We will use this valuable resource to ask clinically relevant translational questions that pertain to biomarker discovery/validation, identification of novel therapeutic targets, and to better understand the genetic and biological basis of the various kidney cancers.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

Candidates for inclusion include adult patients with either a known or suspected kidney cancer referred to Yale Genitourinary Oncology providers in the Yale Urology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology or Nephrology Departments. These individuals will be receiving clinical evaluation/medical treatment/surgery/procedures at Yale New Haven Hospital or the Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Participant eligibility will be determined by study investigators and will be offered protocol details. Interested participants will be invited to participate by study investigators. Consent will be obtained by study investigators or other authorized study personnel. Any potential adult participants with known or suspected kidney cancers with a renal mass who are patients of non-study physicians will be invited to participate by study personal only with the approval of their treating physician.

Exclusion Criteria3

Participants under the age of 18. Children will not be enrolled on the study.
Participants known to be pregnant or actively breastfeeding.
Iodine allergy hypersensitivity.

Interventions

PROCEDUREPeripheral Blood Sample for Immune Analysis

A peripheral blood sample will be collected at the time of surgery.

PROCEDURETumor Sample for Analysis

Extra tumor which is left over following clinical diagnoses will be collected.

PROCEDUREAdjacent non-malignant kidney for analysis

Extra normal tissue which is left over following clinical diagnoses will be collected.

PROCEDUREDraining lymph node(s) for analysis

Draining lymph nodes which have been identified by the surgeon visually, potentially using a tracer (injection of up to 5mg of ICG into the peritumor kidney) will be collected.

PROCEDURERegional non-draining lymph node(s) for analysis

Regional lymph nodes which have been deemed as non-draining by the surgeon will be collected.