Exploring new ways to trigger cell death in melanoma treatment
Official title: Re-engineering differential regulation of ferroptosis in melanoma microenvironment
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10886799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to trigger a special kind of cell death in melanoma, a tough skin cancer, to help improve treatments for patients who aren't getting better with current therapies, especially by understanding how immune cells in the tumor area can help or hinder this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $642,352 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272946-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are melanoma patients, particularly those who have not responded to traditional immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those who respond well to existing treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to effectively induce a specific type of cell death, known as ferroptosis, in melanoma, a challenging form of skin cancer. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind ferroptosis regulation in the tumor microenvironment, particularly focusing on immune cells that can either suppress or promote tumor growth. By utilizing advanced techniques, the researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that can enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments for patients who do not respond to current immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options for melanoma patients who are resistant to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of ferroptosis in cancer treatment is relatively novel, preliminary findings suggest that targeting this pathway may offer promising therapeutic avenues, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bunimovich, Yuri — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bunimovich, Yuri
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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.