Predicting the best immunotherapy combinations and timing for melanoma
Official title: PROJECT 2: Development and Refinement of Predictive Models for Designing Immunotherapy Combination Treatments
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11191427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using smart computer models and detailed tumor data to help choose the best immunotherapy combinations and timing for people with skin melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Systems Biology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $778,045 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274509-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11191427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with skin melanoma, particularly those with BRAF-mutant tumors or those receiving or considering targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
People without melanoma or those not eligible for targeted treatments or immunotherapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine detailed spatial and molecular profiling of tumors and their immune environments over time with machine-learning methods that learn from each new result. They will use iterative and active-learning approaches to refine predictive models that rank which drug sequences and timings are most likely to prevent resistance. The project focuses on scenarios seen in BRAF-mutant melanoma where targeted drugs and immunotherapy are given in sequence or combination. The team aims to narrow down the most promising regimens so clinical testing can focus on the options most likely to help patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point clinicians to combination and sequencing strategies that reduce treatment resistance and improve long-term outcomes for people with melanoma.
How similar studies have gone: BRAF/MEK inhibitors and immunotherapy have each shown benefit in melanoma and preclinical studies suggest sequencing can help, but predictive sequencing models for clinical decision-making remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thorsson, Vesteinn — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Thorsson, Vesteinn
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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.