Lymph Node–Targeted Co-delivery for Melanoma Immunotherapy
Official title: Lymph Node-Targeted Codelivery of Albumin-Binding Peptide Antigens and Di-Adjuvant for Melanoma Combination Immunotherapy
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11365014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at improving melanoma treatment, this project tests a targeted vaccine approach that helps the body’s immune system better attack skin cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266981-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365014 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with advanced melanoma who may benefit from combination immunotherapy and personalized peptide vaccines.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma who do not respond to vaccines or who cannot receive immunotherapies for medical reasons may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant supports developing a peptide vaccine platform that delivers tumor antigens and immune-boosting adjuvants directly to lymph nodes and antigen-presenting cells. By using albumin hitchhiking and co-delivery strategies, the approach seeks to overcome barriers that limit current vaccines and boost the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade. The work involves designing modular vaccine components and testing their delivery and immunogenicity, with a focus on making a therapy that could work across tumor heterogeneity. The goal is to create a strong, targeted immune response that complements existing melanoma treatments. The project is conducted at the University of Michigan with the PI, Guizhi Zhu, leading the translational efforts toward a patient-ready immunotherapy option.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the effectiveness of melanoma immunotherapy and help more patients respond to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Peptide vaccine strategies and targeted delivery approaches have shown promise in early studies, but combining albumin hitchhiking with co-delivered adjuvants is a newer approach with emerging, encouraging results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Guizhi — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Guizhi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Overcoming Melanoma Treatment Resistance with a Special IL-18 Approach
A Yale-led project tests a special engineered IL-18 immune signal to help melanoma patients who don’t fully respond to current therapies.
-
Prebiotic diet to boost gut health and improve immunotherapy response in melanoma
A diet-based approach using prebiotic foods and nutrition counseling is studied alongside standard immunotherapy to help melanoma patients respond better and reduce side effects.
-
New approach to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma
A new strategy targets a key pathway in melanoma to boost the effectiveness of immune-based therapies for patients whose cancer resists treatment.
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Multivalent circular mRNA vaccines for melanoma immunotherapy
A cancer vaccine approach using tiny circular mRNA vaccines aimed at boosting immune responses against melanoma in combination with existing immunotherapies.
-
Multifunctional nanoparticles to boost melanoma immunotherapy
A new nanoparticle approach using ultrasound-triggered systems aims to make melanoma immunotherapy work better for patients who don’t respond well to current treatments.
-
Enhancing melanoma immune therapy through DNA methylation-boosted T cells
A doctor-led program at Yale will help patients with melanoma by using specially trained CD4 helper T cells that are epigenetically enhanced to fight cancer.
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.