How foot (plantar) skin affects acral melanoma spread and drug resistance
Effect of the plantar skin microenvironment on tumor metastasis and drug tolerance
Looking at whether the uniquely stiff skin on the soles changes how acral melanoma cells use energy, spread, and resist treatments for people with acral melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191443 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that focuses on acral melanoma that starts on the soles of the feet, because that skin is stiffer and may make tumors behave differently. In the lab, researchers will grow acral melanoma cells on stiffer versus softer matrices and use live cell sensors and protein tests to track changes in lysosome activity, metabolism, and collagen breakdown. They will also use mouse models to compare tumors in plantar versus non-plantar skin and test how those differences affect response to drugs, including therapies aimed at BRAF. The goal is to find biological reasons why acral melanomas respond poorly to some approved treatments and to point toward therapies tailored to the foot skin environment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acral melanoma—especially tumors located on the soles (plantar surface) or those with advanced or treatment-resistant disease—are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with non-acral (typical non-plantar) cutaneous melanoma or unrelated skin conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments tailored to acral melanoma that better overcome drug resistance and reduce spread.
How similar studies have performed: Prior cancer research shows that tissue stiffness and the microenvironment change tumor behavior, but applying these ideas specifically to acral melanoma and lysosomal metabolism is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rebecca, Vito William — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Rebecca, Vito William
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 below.