Overcoming Melanoma Treatment Resistance with a Special IL-18 Approach
Official title: Project 3. Overcoming Melanoma Treatment Resistance with Cytokine Immunotherapy
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11415562 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Yale-led project tests a special engineered IL-18 immune signal to help melanoma patients who don’t fully respond to current therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2006 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,395 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA121974-19 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415562 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with unresectable melanoma who have shown resistance or incomplete response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without melanoma or those who respond well to current therapies may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on melanoma patients whose cancer does not fully respond to standard immune therapies. Researchers are using a modified IL-18 cytokine that won’t be blocked by the body’s defenses, aiming to boost the immune attack on tumors. The work builds on preclinical data showing synergy with existing checkpoint inhibitors and a plan to translate findings toward human use. The study combines immunology, biomarkers, and potential combination strategies to overcome resistance to current treatments. It is part of a larger effort at Yale to bring new immune-based options closer to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance responses to immunotherapy and extend survival for melanoma patients who currently do not benefit fully from existing treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models suggest the engineered IL-18 can activate immune responses and work well with anti-PD-1, but human results are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kluger, Harriet M. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Kluger, Harriet M.
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Lymph Node–Targeted Co-delivery for Melanoma Immunotherapy
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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.