Personalized combination treatments for melanoma
Rational Approaches to Melanoma Therapy
Finding personalized drug combinations using patient-derived tumor models to help people with melanoma, including those with BRAF-mutant and BRAF-wild-type tumors.
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-11189795 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program grows patients' tumor samples in lab models called patient-derived xenografts (PDX) to mirror the diversity of melanoma seen in people. Researchers use this large collection of PDX models to test many targeted and immune drug combinations to find ones that overcome resistance. Promising combinations are prioritized for translation into clinical trials so patients can access new options. The work focuses on tumors with BRAF mutations and on tumors without BRAF mutations that currently lack effective targeted drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with melanoma—especially those with BRAF V600 mutations, tumors that have progressed on current therapies, or who can donate tumor tissue—are the ideal candidates for contributing to this work.
Not a fit: People without melanoma, those whose tumors are not represented in the PDX collection, or those unable/unwilling to provide tissue may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify more durable, personalized treatment combinations that overcome resistance and expand options for melanoma patients.
How similar studies have performed: Using patient-derived xenografts to guide therapy has shown promise in predicting responses in some cancers, but translating PDX findings into reliable, long-term patient benefit remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Wistar Institute — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villanueva, Jessie — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Villanueva, Jessie
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.