Immune therapies for Merkel cell carcinoma
Immunobiology and Immune Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
This project develops and tests new immune-based treatments to help people with Merkel cell carcinoma, especially those whose cancers no longer respond to PD‑1 drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11094603 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll be connected to a Seattle team that studies how the immune system fights Merkel cell carcinoma and why some tumors stop responding to immunotherapy. The researchers use patient blood and tumor samples, T- and B-cell sequencing, and other immune-mapping tools from a large specimen and data repository. They also run and expand clinical trials of immune-targeting treatments aimed at patients who did not get lasting benefit from PD‑1 pathway drugs. Collaborators at other centers help offer these options more broadly and match patients to promising approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Merkel cell carcinoma, especially those who have not responded to or have relapsed after PD‑1/PD‑L1 immunotherapy, are the primary candidates.
Not a fit: People without Merkel cell carcinoma, patients whose disease is already cured, or those who cannot receive immunotherapy for medical reasons are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could restore immune control of tumors and provide new treatment options for patients whose Merkel cell carcinoma stopped responding to current immunotherapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of PD‑1 pathway blockers have helped many MCC patients, but this project aims to find new strategies for people who did not respond to those treatments.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nghiem, Paul — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Nghiem, Paul
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.