PLK4 as a potential drug target in melanoma
Official title: Functional and Therapeutic Significance of PLK4 in Melanoma
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11473224 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring whether blocking PLK4 could be a new way to treat melanoma and how PLK4 works with other melanoma-driving pathways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $82,457 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA261937-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473224 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with melanoma or at-risk patients whose tumors have PLK4-related alterations or BRAF pathway involvement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not involve PLK4 or related pathways may see little to no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at PLK4 and its interactions to see if it can be turned into a drug that helps people with melanoma. It will study how PLK4 behaves during the early and progressive stages of melanocyte transformation and how UV exposure and other cancer pathways influence it. The team will use cellular models and genetic tools to uncover mechanisms, including how PLK4 interacts with other melanoma drivers. The goal is to identify actionable targets and understand why some melanomas become resistant to current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new targeted therapies for melanoma and help overcome resistance to existing treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Some studies suggest PLK4 may be a druggable target in cancers, but its role in melanoma is still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmad, Nihal — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ahmad, Nihal
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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.