Creating mouse models from patient tumors to study melanoma treatment resistance

Core C: Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX)/ Syngeneic Mouse Core

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10878839

This study is working to create special mouse models using tumor samples from melanoma patients to better understand why some treatments don’t work, with the hope of finding better ways to help people with melanoma respond to therapy.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10878839 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and syngeneic mouse models to better understand the mechanisms of resistance to melanoma treatments. By collecting tumor biopsies from patients, the researchers aim to create a library of models that closely mimic the characteristics of individual tumors. This approach allows for more accurate testing of therapies and understanding of how tumors respond to treatment in a real-world context. The goal is to improve the effectiveness of existing therapies and develop new strategies to overcome resistance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma who are undergoing biopsy procedures.

Not a fit: Patients with non-melanoma skin cancers or those who are not undergoing biopsy procedures may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for melanoma patients by identifying and overcoming resistance mechanisms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using patient-derived xenograft models has shown promise in understanding cancer treatment responses, indicating that this approach is both tested and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerCancer cell line
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.