Harnessing human CD1d-NKT cells to boost melanoma immunotherapy
Official title: Harnessing immunoregulatory NKT cells for immunotherapies of metastatic melanoma
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11442673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH-funded project tests a new approach that uses a special type of immune cell to help treat metastatic melanoma in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $426,828 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA317372-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic melanoma who have or may develop resistance to existing checkpoint therapies could be eligible for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without melanoma or without a path to an antibody-based immunotherapy approach would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on activating human CD1d-restricted NKT cells to enhance anti-tumor immunity in melanoma. Researchers have created a human CD1d-knockin mouse model with a human iNKT receptor to study how anti-CD1d antibodies can stimulate immune responses against melanoma. The study aims to translate these findings toward therapies that could overcome resistance to current treatments like anti-PD-1 by engaging innate and adaptive immunity. The work combines immunology, antibody biology, and preclinical testing to lay groundwork for future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic melanoma could gain access to a new immunotherapy approach that helps their immune system fight cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that activating CD1d-restricted NKT cells can enhance anti-tumor responses, but human-specific models are needed for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Weiming — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Weiming
Related research
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This study is testing a new treatment called CM-HZ01 that helps boost your immune system to fight metastatic melanoma by specifically activating certain immune cells, aiming to make the existing IL-2 therapy work better with fewer side effects for patients who don’t have many options left.
-
Improving detection of early-stage metastatic melanoma using advanced microscopy
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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.