Dual mRNA therapeutics aimed at liver metastasis from uveal melanoma
Official title: Dual mRNA Therapeutics for Liver Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11388819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses two mRNA-based therapies designed to target liver metastases in adults with uveal melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $399,829 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA314402-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with uveal melanoma, particularly those at risk of or with liver metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without liver metastases or those who cannot receive mRNA therapies may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on uveal melanoma that commonly spreads to the liver and aims to slow or stop progression by delivering two targeted mRNA therapies. The researchers plan to block a cancer-driving signaling pathway (Gαq/11) and restore a tumor-suppressing gene (BAP1) in liver metastases. The work involves developing liver-tropic mRNA treatments and testing them in preclinical models to see if tumor growth and spread can be reduced. If successful, this could lead to new therapeutic options for patients facing metastatic uveal melanoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with liver-metastasized uveal melanoma could gain a new treatment that may slow progression and extend survival.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in mRNA therapeutics shows promise, but this specific liver-targeted approach for uveal melanoma is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Rihe — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Liu, Rihe
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating a new treatment for uveal melanoma using a specific drug.
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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.