A closer look at how the plantar skin environment shapes acral melanoma and its drug responses
Official title: Effect of the plantar skin microenvironment on tumor metastasis and drug tolerance
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11397718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the special skin on the bottom of the foot affects acral melanoma and its resistance to treatments, with aims to guide better, future therapies for people with this cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,278,247 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA289514-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with acral melanoma, especially those affected in plantar/foot locations, who may benefit from future tailored therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanomas not related to acral/plantar locations or those not enrolled in related clinical studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Johns Hopkins will examine how the stiff plantar skin of the foot influences acral melanoma metabolism and drug tolerance, using both lab models and animal studies. They will track lysosome-related changes and other metabolic pathways that may help melanoma survive treatments. Through a combination of live-cell imaging, protein analysis, and in vivo experiments, the team aims to identify vulnerabilities that could be targeted in future therapies for AM. The work focuses on differences between acral and cutaneous melanoma and how the plantar environment may drive distinct treatment responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new targets to improve treatments for acral melanoma, potentially leading to more effective and durable responses for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that tumor environment can shape metabolism and drug tolerance in melanoma, and this study builds on those concepts in a specific foot-origin melanoma context.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rebecca, Vito William — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Rebecca, Vito William
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.