Immune cells in melanoma and pregnancy to guide new immunotherapies
Comparing NK cell profiles within melanoma tumors and pregnancy: Implications for novel immunotherapies
This project compares the types and behavior of NK immune cells found in melanoma tumors and in pregnancy to find clues that could help people with melanoma get better immunotherapy and fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238068 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the researchers will compare NK cells taken from melanoma tumors with NK cells from the placenta during pregnancy to see which features let cells invade tissue and avoid the immune system. They will examine how NK cell receptors (including KIR genes) control these behaviors and how that links to tumor invasiveness and response to immune checkpoint drugs. The work uses human tumor and placental tissue samples plus laboratory profiling of cell types and receptor patterns. Results may point to markers to predict who benefits from immunotherapy and to new targets for treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with melanoma who can provide tumor samples or who are being considered for adjuvant or first-line immune checkpoint therapy.
Not a fit: People without melanoma or those unable to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict which melanoma patients will respond to immune checkpoint therapy and identify new NK cell targets for treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown NK cell and placentation-related mechanisms can be used by cancers, but directly comparing decidual NK cells to tumor NK cells to predict immunotherapy response in melanoma is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Norman, Paul John — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Norman, Paul John
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.