Low-oxygen skin and Merkel cell virus in Merkel cell carcinoma
Project 3: Skin hypoxia, MCPyV infection, and MCC tumorigenesis
This project finds out how low oxygen levels in the skin and infection with Merkel cell polyomavirus may drive aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11189607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), this work looks at why the skin's low-oxygen environment and a common virus (MCPyV) help tumors grow and spread. Researchers will study tumor samples and use laboratory models to see which genes and viral proteins are switched on by hypoxia. They will test how molecules like CA9 and VEGF-A, known to support tumor growth, are involved in MCPyV-related cancer. The team may use gene-editing tools and molecular experiments to find targets that could be blocked to slow or stop metastatic MCC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, particularly tumors linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus or patients willing to donate tumor tissue for research.
Not a fit: People with unrelated skin cancers or conditions not driven by MCPyV or hypoxia are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop tumor growth or metastasis in MCPyV-associated Merkel cell carcinoma, leading to better treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Immune therapies have helped some MCC patients, but targeting hypoxia-driven and viral mechanisms is a newer approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: You, Jianxin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: You, Jianxin
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.