Creating 3D models of tumors to improve cancer treatments
Official title: Engineered microtumor arrays for development of combination therapies
Funded at University of New South Wales · NIH-10911039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better treat malignant melanoma, a serious skin cancer, by creating realistic 3D models of tumors to see how they react to different treatments, with the goal of finding new ways to tackle tough-to-treat cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New South Wales NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sydney, Australia) |
| Project start | September 9, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $106,589 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA251443-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma, particularly those with advanced or metastatic disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those who do not have a diagnosis of melanoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on malignant melanoma, a serious skin cancer, and aims to develop advanced 3D models of tumors to better understand how they respond to treatments. By studying the tumor microenvironment and how it influences cancer cells, researchers hope to identify new combination therapies that can effectively target drug-resistant cancer cells. The project utilizes engineered extracellular matrices to create realistic tumor models that mimic patient responses, allowing for more accurate testing of potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using 3D tumor models for drug testing, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
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University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kilian, Kristopher Alan — University of New South Wales
- Study coordinator: Kilian, Kristopher Alan
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.