Blocking GPR182 to enhance melanoma immunotherapy
Official title: Melanoma Immunotherapy with GPR182 blockade
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11005399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blocking a specific receptor called GPR182 might help make immunotherapy work better for people with melanoma by allowing more immune cells to attack the tumors, especially those that are currently not responding well to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,706 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269644-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with late-stage melanoma who have not benefited from current immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those who have already responded well to existing immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how blocking the GPR182 receptor can improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for melanoma patients. It focuses on understanding the role of GPR182 in limiting the infiltration of immune cells, specifically CD8+ T cells, into tumors. By studying the interactions between GPR182 and chemokines, the research aims to develop strategies to convert 'cold' tumors, which are less responsive to treatment, into 'hot' tumors that can better respond to immunotherapy. The approach includes both laboratory experiments and potential applications in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for melanoma patients who currently do not respond to existing immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yuwen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yuwen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Overcoming Melanoma Treatment Resistance with a Special IL-18 Approach
A Yale-led project tests a special engineered IL-18 immune signal to help melanoma patients who don’t fully respond to current therapies.
-
Prebiotic diet to boost gut health and improve immunotherapy response in melanoma
A diet-based approach using prebiotic foods and nutrition counseling is studied alongside standard immunotherapy to help melanoma patients respond better and reduce side effects.
-
New approach to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma
A new strategy targets a key pathway in melanoma to boost the effectiveness of immune-based therapies for patients whose cancer resists treatment.
-
Multivalent circular mRNA vaccines for melanoma immunotherapy
A cancer vaccine approach using tiny circular mRNA vaccines aimed at boosting immune responses against melanoma in combination with existing immunotherapies.
-
Lymph Node–Targeted Co-delivery for Melanoma Immunotherapy
Aimed at improving melanoma treatment, this project tests a targeted vaccine approach that helps the body’s immune system better attack skin cancer.
-
Multifunctional nanoparticles to boost melanoma immunotherapy
A new nanoparticle approach using ultrasound-triggered systems aims to make melanoma immunotherapy work better for patients who don’t respond well to current treatments.
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.