Melanoma (skin cancer) research program
SPORE in Skin Cancer
This program looks at a blood test and a new drug combination to help people with high-risk or treatment-resistant melanoma get the right immunotherapy with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187247 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This collaboration between Wistar and UPenn focuses on melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. One project measures tumor-derived exosomal PD-L1 in blood to help decide who can safely receive single-agent anti–PD-1 immunotherapy versus who needs combination treatment. A second project runs a clinical trial combining anti–PD-1 therapy with an autophagy inhibitor to try to help patients whose tumors stopped responding to PD-1 drugs. Participation would involve blood draws and, for eligible patients, enrollment in the clinical trial at participating centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with high-risk melanoma starting immunotherapy or patients whose melanoma has progressed after anti–PD-1 treatment.
Not a fit: People without melanoma, those with early-stage disease not receiving immunotherapy, or patients ineligible for clinical trials are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could spare many patients unnecessary toxic combination therapy and offer a new option for people whose melanoma no longer responds to PD-1 drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs have transformed melanoma care, but blood-based exosomal PD-L1 as a predictive marker and combining PD-1 blockers with autophagy inhibitors are promising approaches that remain under clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Wistar Institute — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herlyn, Meenhard F — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Herlyn, Meenhard F
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.