Blocking the Gq signaling pathway in uveal (eye) melanoma
Official title: Targeting Gq pathway in uveal melanoma
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11178548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at drugs and gene-targeting approaches that block the Gq signaling pathway to try to stop uveal (eye) melanoma growth, especially for patients whose tumors have GNAQ or GNA11 changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $908,647 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA273020-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with uveal (eye) melanoma—particularly those whose tumors have GNAQ or GNA11 mutations or who have liver metastases and have limited options from current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not involve the Gq pathway mutations or who need an immediate approved therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical-focused work.
What this research studies
Uveal melanoma is driven in most patients by mutations that turn on the Gq signaling pathway, and this project focuses on ways to block that pathway. Researchers will use tumor samples, lab-grown tumor cells, and animal models to study why single drugs against Gq or PKC work in the lab but fail in liver metastases. They will use CRISPR and other genetic tools to find genes and pathways that cause resistance and then test drug combinations that might overcome that resistance. The goal is to identify treatment approaches that could be moved toward clinical testing for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted treatments or drug combinations that slow or stop metastatic uveal melanoma and improve survival.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory studies show GNAQ/11 and PKC inhibitors can block uveal melanoma cell growth in dishes, but these approaches have not yet produced strong clinical benefits in patients with liver metastases.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xu — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting serotonin receptors to boost a cancer cell weakness in uveal melanoma
A small funding project tests whether blocking the serotonin HTR2B receptor can weaken mutant GNAQ/GNA11-driven uveal melanoma cells to help fight metastatic eye cancer.
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Dual mRNA therapeutics aimed at liver metastasis from uveal melanoma
A new approach uses two mRNA-based therapies designed to target liver metastases in adults with uveal melanoma.
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Improving treatment response in uveal melanoma by targeting Syk with new translational models
A Mayo Clinic team is exploring whether blocking the Syk protein can make uveal melanoma more responsive to PARP inhibitors in patients who have this eye cancer that often spreads.
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How uveal melanoma cells send signals that help them spread
This project follows adults with uveal melanoma and tracks signals in eye fluid and blood to find early signs that the cancer may be spreading.
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A safe, minimally invasive test to predict uveal melanoma metastasis risk from eye fluid
A new test using a sample from the eye’s aqueous fluid could predict if uveal melanoma is likely to spread, without needing a risky biopsy.
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Targeting stress defenses in eye melanoma that spreads to the liver
Researchers are working to weaken tumor cells' defenses against oxidative damage so liver metastases from uveal (eye) melanoma in adults become more vulnerable to treatment.
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.