Study sheds light on copper's role in driving kidney cancer
UC research featured on MSN
MSN highlighted a new University of Cincinnati study published in the journal Cancer Discovery that details how the accumulation of copper helps clear cell renal cell carcinoma grow and advance in stage.
The Cancer Center’s Maria Czyzyk-Krzeska, MD, PhD, lead author of the research, said that increased accumulation of copper is associated with worse outcomes for patients with ccRCC. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Czyzyk-Krzeska and her colleagues established that ccRCC cells accumulate more copper as they advance from stage 1 toward metastatic disease.
The team found high copper levels help cancer cells make more of a special enzyme that boosts their energy and growth. At the same time, sugar (glucose) helps create a protective molecule called glutathione. This molecule clears out toxins and reduces the harmful effects of copper, giving cancer cells an extra survival boost.
“In other words, copper induces an orchestrated, multilevel adaptation of cancer cells that promotes tumor growth,” said Czyzyk-Krzeska, professor in the Department of Cancer Biology in UC’s College of Medicine. “It causes a change in the cell’s metabolic state.”
Read the original UC News story.
Featured photo at top of periodic table highlighting copper. Photo/HT Ganzo/iStock.
Related Stories
Can new research improve the safety of AI therapy for teens?
December 5, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Stephen Rush joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition for a discussion on the growing trend of young people turning to artificial intelligence for mental health support and therapy.
Student-designed AI platform aims to match patients to specific cancer support groups
December 5, 2025
The University of Cincinnati is launching a clinical trial testing a student-designed, machine-learning powered platform to match patients with cancer to support groups specifically tailored to their needs and concerns.
What would expanded access to GLP-1s mean for the obesity rate?
December 4, 2025
The World Health Organization recently issued its first guidance on GLP-1 medications for adults with obesity — recommending long-term, continuous use when clinically appropriate. Malti Vij, MD, University of Cincinnati adjunct associate professor in the College of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine, appeared on Cincinnati Edition on 91.7 WVXU News to discuss GLP-1s and what expanded insurance coverage of the medications might mean for Americans.