Advancing Treatments for Melanoma and Skin Cancer
Official title: Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program SPORE
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11187069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is looking for new and better ways to treat melanoma and other skin cancers, especially when current treatments aren't enough.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,217,934 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA254865-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with advanced melanoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), particularly those who have not yet received certain immunotherapies, may be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer is not melanoma or cSCC, or those who have already exhausted all immunotherapy options, may not directly benefit from these specific approaches.
What this research studies
Many people with advanced melanoma don't fully benefit from current treatments, and some powerful therapies can have serious side effects. This program aims to find new and more effective ways to treat melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), especially for those who haven't responded well to existing options. Researchers are testing new combinations of immunotherapy drugs in patients with melanoma who haven't received prior treatment. Another part of the program is looking at a new drug called CMP-001 alongside an existing immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. There's also work on a new microneedle device to deliver chemotherapy more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer, more effective, and more cost-efficient treatments for melanoma and cSCC, improving outcomes for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: This program builds on innovative findings from the researchers, translating them into new clinical trials for novel combinatorial immunotherapies.
Where this research is happening
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarour, Hassane M — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Zarour, Hassane M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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CivaDerm: a new four-day skin cancer radiation bandage
A new four‑day radiation bandage for non-melanoma skin cancer aims to treat facial and other areas without multiple clinic visits or big scars.
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MOSAIC II: MAP Wound Matrix to speed graft readiness after non-melanoma skin cancer surgery
A randomized trial tests a moldable wound scaffold (MAP Wound Matrix) to speed healing and time to graft-ready skin after head and neck cancer surgeries in adults.
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Low-energy skin radiation patches for treating non-melanoma skin cancer
A patient-friendly device idea uses a patch to deliver a tiny amount of radiation right at the skin to treat non-melanoma skin cancer in as few visits.
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Safer medicines to prevent basal and squamous (non‑melanoma) skin cancer
Researchers are developing new, non‑toxic oral rexinoid medicines aimed at preventing basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, especially for people with weakened immune systems like organ transplant recipients.
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Creating safe drugs to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer
This study is working on new medications to help prevent skin cancer in people with weakened immune systems, like those who have had organ transplants, by creating safer and more effective options that don’t have the usual side effects of current treatments.
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New treatments for melanoma and skin cancer
This study is looking for new and better ways to treat melanoma and skin cancer for patients who haven't had success with current treatments, including trying out a special device that delivers chemotherapy through tiny needles.
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.