Early signs and causes of spread in rare mucosal and acral melanomas
Official title: BCCMA: Determinants and early detection of metastasis in melanoma for unmet needs of Veterans with mucosal melanomas affecting the head, neck, and other rare types
Funded at VA New Jersey Health Care System · NIH-11213858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for early warning signs and why rare mucosal and acral melanomas spread, focusing on Veterans and other people with these cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA New Jersey Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Orange, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006498-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans and other patients diagnosed with mucosal melanoma (head, neck, anogenital) or acral melanoma (palms or soles), or those with suspicious lesions in these areas.
✕Less likely to help
People with common sun-exposed cutaneous melanoma or unrelated cancers are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how rare mucosal and acral melanomas begin and spread by examining melanocytes and melanocyte stem cells that give rise to these tumors. They will use mouse models designed to mirror the genetics and behavior of the human tumors alongside molecular and genetic analyses of tumor samples. The team will test targeted treatment ideas and approaches to spot tumors earlier, before they become metastatic. The project is led by experienced VA investigators and concentrates on Veterans and other patients with these uncommon melanoma types.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection and more effective, tailored treatments for Veterans and others with mucosal and acral melanomas.
How similar studies have gone: Targeted and immune therapies have helped many common skin melanomas but have had limited benefit for mucosal and acral types, so focused preclinical work like this is relatively new for these rare tumors.
Where this research is happening
-
VA New Jersey Health Care System
East Orange, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Suzie — VA New Jersey Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Chen, Suzie
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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.