63 With funding from a Department of Defense (DOD) Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators Early Career Scholar Award, Dr Aguirre de Cubas of the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center is spearheading efforts to enhance kidney cancer treatments. His innovative research focuses on leveraging the immune system to better detect and destroy tumours, a promising step towards improving survival rates for renal cell carcinoma patients. Renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer, often presents significant challenges in treatment. Around 30% of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which carries a dismal five-year survival rate of just 12%. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have brought a revolutionary change to cancer treatment by unblocking the immune system’s ability to attack tumours. However, their effectiveness is limited—only one in five patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma experiences lasting benefits. Dr de Cubas’ approach seeks to address this gap by reactivating the immune system to better recognise and target cancer cells. Central to his work is the use of mitochondrial DNA, the genetic material within the energy-producing organelles of cells. When mitochondria are damaged, they can release DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, mimicking a viral infection and triggering an immune response. Unfortunately, this alert system is often disabled in cancer cells, leaving tumours undetected. The research explores innovative ways to restore this immune response. One strategy involves targeting the BCL-XL protein to induce mitochondrial damage, releasing DNA fragments that alert the immune system. By combining this technique with immune checkpoint inhibitors, de Cubas aims to make tumours more visible to the immune system, reducing their ability to resist treatment. “Our ultimate goal is to develop a combination therapy that makes tumours more visible to the immune system while also removing its brakes so it can effectively attack the cancer,” explained de Cubas. This pioneering research has been supported by the South Carolina Disparities Research Center (SC CADRE), a National Cancer Institute-funded initiative focused on addressing cancer disparities. The partnership between MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and South Carolina State University (SCSU), a historically Black college/university, has played a pivotal role in advancing de Cubas’ work. SC CADRE supports emerging researchers by fostering collaboration and providing resources to tackle cancer health disparities. “SC CADRE helped to bridge the beginning of my research ideas to a more mature concept,” said de Cubas. “The program allowed me to develop new directions, collaborate with others, and ultimately secure the funding to advance my work.” The collaboration is co-directed by Dr Marvella Ford, Endowed Chair in Cancer Disparities at MUSC, and Dr Judith Salley-Guydon, Chair of Biological and Physical Sciences at SCSU. It aims to cultivate a diverse generation of cancer researchers equipped to improve health outcomes for South Carolinians. De Cubas’ work exemplifies how innovative partnerships and community-focused initiatives can advance cancer research. His DOD award will enable him to establish an independent laboratory to further his mission of creating more effective therapies for kidney cancer patients. By connecting cutting-edge scientific research with community engagement, SC CADRE is shaping the future of cancer treatment and opening doors for diverse researchers to drive progress.