Novel immunomodulators for melanoma therapy
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11375920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach tests small molecules that target spliceosome proteins to kill melanoma cells and boost immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 18, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $154,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM159132-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with metastatic melanoma or those with tumor samples derived from such patients for testing in translational models or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma outside the studied models or with conditions that preclude immune-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on treating melanoma by using spliceosomal inhibitors to trigger cancer cell death while also making tumor cells more recognizable to the immune system. The researchers will test two inhibitors, 2155-14 and 18, in living models that resemble human melanoma. They will study how blocking H1/H2 spliceosomal proteins affects immune pathways inside tumor cells and validate the immune response in mouse models that carry BRAF or NRAS mutations. The work aims to translate these findings into broader, more effective melanoma therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new melanoma treatments that both kill tumor cells and enhance anti-tumor immunity.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that targeting spliceosomal proteins can induce melanoma cell death and may boost immunogenicity, but this approach is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Minond, Dmitriy — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Minond, Dmitriy
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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.