Cary N. Weiss, MD, PhD

Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare but highly aggressive kidney cancer that primarily affects children, adolescents and young adults. tRCC is driven by an abnormal fusion protein that forces cells to grow uncontrollably. Because these fusion proteins are extremely difficult to target directly with current strategies, and because tRCC responds poorly to existing treatments, patients and families are left with limited therapeutic options. Using innovative genetic and genomic tools, Weiss is identifying the critical pathways that tRCC cells rely on to survive. By uncovering the cancer’s key vulnerabilities, his research aims to nominate new targets that could be developed into therapies. Importantly, because similar fusion proteins drive other rare pediatric and adolescent cancers, insights from this research may benefit a broader group of young patients facing these cancers. Ultimately, this work seeks to build a foundation for safer, more precise treatments. Weiss received his MD and PhD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and his BA from New York University.