Sequencing immunotherapy and targeted drugs for melanoma
Official title: Spatiotemporal Tumor Analytics for Guiding Sequential Targeted-Inhibitor: Immunotherapy Combinations (ST-Analytics)
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11220443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether giving immunotherapy first and then a targeted drug, instead of both together, helps people with melanoma respond better.
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) | $144,537 |
| NIH project number | 3U54CA274509-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11220443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with melanoma who are candidates for immunotherapy and MAPK-targeted inhibitors, including those with brain metastases, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers other than melanoma or those not receiving immunotherapy or MAPK-targeted drugs are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
The team combines analysis of past patient records with lab experiments in mouse models to understand how the order and timing of immunotherapy and targeted drugs affects outcomes. They use computer modeling and biological studies to map how immune responses and drug resistance change over time. The work focuses on melanoma, including spread to the brain, and looks at approaches like immune checkpoint blockers and adoptive cell therapy followed by MAPK-targeted inhibitors. The goal is to define practical treatment sequences and timing that could be tested in future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to treatment schedules that give stronger, longer-lasting responses and reduce resistance to targeted therapies for melanoma patients.
How similar studies have gone: Retrospective patient data and mouse-model experiments suggest sequencing immune therapy before targeted drugs can help, but randomized clinical trials proving this approach are still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heath, James R. — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Heath, James R.
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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.