How caffeine affects melanoma growth
Official title: Influence of Caffeine on Melanoma
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11015887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking caffeine might affect melanoma, a serious skin cancer, to see if it could help slow down the growth of cancer cells and improve treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $36,736 |
| NIH project number | 5F31CA271768-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for melanoma or those currently diagnosed with melanoma who consume caffeine regularly.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume caffeine or have no interest in dietary interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between caffeine consumption and melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. It explores how caffeine may influence melanoma cell growth and survival through its interaction with specific cellular receptors. By analyzing data from various populations and conducting experiments in mouse models, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms by which caffeine could potentially reduce melanoma risk and improve treatment outcomes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies involving caffeine or its derivatives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for melanoma patients that incorporate caffeine or target its biological pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous epidemiological studies have suggested a protective effect of caffeine against melanoma, indicating that this research builds on promising preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brathwaite, Roderick Dion — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Brathwaite, Roderick Dion
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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.