Blocking GPR182 to help immune cells attack melanoma
Melanoma Immunotherapy with GPR182 blockade
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11248002
This work looks at whether blocking a protein called GPR182 can help immune cells get into melanoma tumors and make immunotherapy work better for people with advanced melanoma.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11248002 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how GPR182, a protein found around tumor lymphatic vessels, affects chemokines that attract CD8+ T cells into melanoma. In lab experiments and mouse melanoma models they will test whether removing or blocking GPR182 increases CD8+ T cell infiltration and slows tumor growth. The team will map how GPR182 binds and internalizes chemokines like CXCL9/CXCL10 and whether that limits immune cell entry via the CXCR3 pathway. Results will guide whether targeting GPR182 could turn “cold” melanomas into “hot” ones more responsive to existing immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with melanoma, especially those whose tumors lack CD8+ T cell infiltration or who have not responded to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, could potentially benefit from this line of work.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated cancers or those whose tumors do not rely on chemokine-mediated T cell recruitment may not benefit from targeting GPR182.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, blocking GPR182 could increase immune cell infiltration into melanomas and improve responses to immunotherapy for patients who currently do not benefit.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies from the investigators showed that genetic deletion of GPR182 increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and slowed tumor growth, but therapeutic blockade in patients remains novel.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHU, YUWEN — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: ZHU, YUWEN
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 below.