Melanocyte PD-L1 and UVB-triggered IFN-I in melanoma
Official title: Melanocyte PDL1 control of UVB-induced IFN-I
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-11389441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice explores how PD-L1 on melanocytes and UVB exposure affect immune signals and melanoma growth, to inform future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,946 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292467-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are melanoma patients or individuals at risk whose disease biology involves PD-L1 pathways and interferon signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma not driven by PD-L1 or UV-related pathways may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers study melanoma in mice with melanocytes that either have PD-L1 or not, some exposed to UVB light. They use advanced tools like single-cell sequencing, spatial imaging, and bioinformatics to understand how PD-L1 influences inflammatory signals and immune surveillance in the tumor environment. The work also includes transplanting tumor lines to validate mechanisms and comparing findings with human data for relevance. Outcomes will help explain why some melanomas resist treatment and how to improve immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide new strategies to counter melanoma progression and treatment resistance linked to PD-L1 and UV-related immune memory.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown PD-L1 and interferon signaling influence tumor immunity, but this project adds UVB-related inflammatory memory and melanocyte-specific effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curiel, Tyler J. — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Curiel, Tyler J.
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.