Improving cancer prevention and treatment for Veterans
Official title: BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-11103155 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how cancer develops and how we can better prevent and treat it, especially for Veterans, by focusing on skin and prostate cancers that they often face, including melanoma, which is linked to sun exposure during service.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK6BX006041-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103155 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans, particularly those at risk for skin and prostate cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of cancer or are not Veterans may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding cancer biology and developing strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, particularly for Veterans. Led by Dr. Nihal Ahmad, the project aims to identify critical molecular events involved in cancer development and progression, with a specific emphasis on skin and prostate cancers that disproportionately affect Veterans. The research includes investigating the mechanisms behind melanoma, a common cancer among Veterans, especially those exposed to high UV radiation during deployments. By uncovering these mechanisms, the research seeks to find novel targets for cancer management and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for cancer in Veterans, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying molecular targets for cancer treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmad, Nihal — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Ahmad, Nihal
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New microfluidic platform to test prostate cancer drugs using patient tumor cells
A new microfluidic, open platform uses patient-derived prostate cancer cells to create multi-culture tumor models that could better predict whether a treatment will work for Veterans.
-
Injecting immune-boosting medicine into melanoma tumors to help the immune system reject them
This gives an immune-boosting drug directly into melanoma tumors in pet dogs to help their T cells find and destroy the cancer.
-
Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
-
SIRT6 and melanoma growth and spread
Researchers are seeing if blocking a protein called SIRT6 can help stop melanoma from growing and spreading in people with melanoma.
-
Vitamin C to protect the brain after a traumatic brain injury
This project is testing whether giving vitamin C after a traumatic brain injury can protect the brain and help adults recover.
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Investigating melanoma development and potential treatments
This study is looking at how melanoma grows and changes, with the goal of finding ways to better predict outcomes and develop new treatments for people with early-stage melanoma, including Veterans and others.
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.