Next-generation immunotherapies for melanoma
Next Generation Cancer Immunotherapies to Defeat Melanoma
Researchers are creating and combining new immune-based treatments, including engineered T cells and drug pairings, to help people with melanoma respond better to therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176950 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at why some melanomas are missed by the immune system and why treatments sometimes stop working, by studying tumor genes that affect antigen presentation and immune signaling. The team tests drug combinations in lab models and brings promising combos into clinical trials, including BRAF plus MEK inhibitors paired with PD-1/PD-L1 blockers. They also run clinical trials of gene-engineered adoptive T cell therapies, improve ways to isolate T cell receptors, and develop non-viral gene editing and better cytokine support to boost T cell activity in patients. Findings from lab models have already informed trials and led to at least one FDA approval for a triple-therapy approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced or treatment-resistant melanoma—including those with BRAF-mutant tumors or who did not benefit from prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy—are the most likely candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage melanoma, other cancer types, or who cannot travel or tolerate clinical trial procedures may not be eligible or benefit directly from these programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more effective combination therapies and improved engineered T cell treatments that give melanoma patients longer, more durable remissions.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches like checkpoint inhibitors, targeted BRAF/MEK therapy, and engineered T cell treatments have shown meaningful successes, and some triple-combination programs supported by this work have led to FDA approval.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ribas, Antoni — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ribas, Antoni
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.