Investigating the role of galectin-8 in melanoma progression
Official title: Analysis of galectin-8 and its ligands in melanoma progression
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11090387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called galectin-8 affects the growth of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, and how it might help us find better treatments for patients like you by analyzing the sugars on cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $484,903 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282520-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with metastatic melanoma who are undergoing or considering immune checkpoint inhibition therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those who do not have a diagnosis of melanoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how galectin-8 and its ligands contribute to the progression of metastatic melanoma. The team will analyze the glycan structures on melanoma cells and how they interact with galectin-8, which may influence tumor behavior and resistance to therapies. By identifying specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets, the research aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with melanoma. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data to help elucidate these mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved predictive biomarkers and novel treatment strategies for patients with metastatic melanoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting glycan interactions in cancer therapy, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dimitroff, Charles J — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Dimitroff, Charles J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Melanoma vaccine built from tiny spherical nucleic acids
A new kind of cancer vaccine using tiny spherical nucleic acids to help the immune system fight advanced melanoma.
-
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.
-
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.
-
How tumor cell stress and nearby support cells help melanoma spread
This project looks at whether blocking a tumor cell stress response and changing how nearby support cells behave might keep melanoma cells from surviving, spreading, and resisting treatment.
-
PLK4 as a potential drug target in melanoma
Researchers are exploring whether blocking PLK4 could be a new way to treat melanoma and how PLK4 works with other melanoma-driving pathways.
-
A new lentivector to deliver multiple TCRs for melanoma cell therapy
A new gene-delivery approach aims to boost T cell receptors inside patients’ own cells to treat advanced melanoma.
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.