How gene activity and immune cells shape melanoma
Transcriptional mechanisms and melanoma
This project explores how gene signals and immune cells in the tumor environment help melanoma grow and resist treatment, using zebrafish models and human tumor samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use zebrafish engineered to light up when key signaling pathways (like Wnt, TGFβ, and interferons) are active to watch melanoma behavior in real time. They focus on surface “craters” in tumors where CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, and Wnt-positive macrophages gather and study how those immune hubs affect tumor growth. The team compares what they see in zebrafish with human melanoma tissue to identify shared cell interactions and “eat-me” signals that cause macrophages to engulf certain cancer cells. Findings will guide ideas for new treatments that change the tumor niche to make melanoma more vulnerable to therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with melanoma who can donate tumor tissue or who may be interested in future trials based on these tumor-niche targets.
Not a fit: People without melanoma or those seeking immediate personal treatment benefit should not expect direct clinical help from this research now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets in the tumor microenvironment that improve immune-based treatments and reduce drug resistance for people with melanoma.
How similar studies have performed: Zebrafish tumor models and tumor‑microenvironment studies have produced useful biological insights before, but the focus on crater immune hubs and Wnt+ macrophages is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zon, Leonard Ira — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zon, Leonard Ira
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.