Finding new ways to treat melanoma that resists current therapies
Official title: Overcoming therapy resistance in melanoma
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11066497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways to treat melanoma in patients with a specific gene mutation (BRAFV600E) who aren't responding well to current medications, by exploring new treatments that target a particular pathway in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $176,809 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA289124-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are melanoma patients with the BRAFV600E mutation who have experienced resistance to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma who do not have the BRAFV600E mutation or those who have not developed resistance to existing treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the challenge of drug resistance in melanoma, particularly in patients with the BRAFV600E mutation. It aims to explore new therapeutic interventions that can overcome the limitations of existing treatments, such as the BRAFV600E-specific inhibitor dabrafenib and the MEK inhibitor trametinib. The study will investigate the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its inhibitors, particularly targeting PI3Kβ, to improve treatment outcomes for patients who have developed resistance. By understanding the mechanisms of resistance, the research seeks to develop more effective therapies for melanoma patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for melanoma patients who currently have limited options due to drug resistance.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been challenges in developing effective PI3K inhibitors, the exploration of PI3Kβ therapies represents a novel approach that has not yet been fully tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheng, Zhi — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Sheng, Zhi
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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.