Stopping melanoma by targeting the SKP2 pathway
Targeting the SKP2 Axis for Anti-melanoma Therapy
Aiming to block SKP2, a protein that helps melanoma grow, to develop new treatments for people with melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311918 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on SKP2, a protein that can drive melanoma growth by marking other proteins for destruction. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess will study SKP2 in melanoma cells, animal models, and patient tumor samples to understand how it promotes cancer. They will test molecules that block SKP2 to see whether tumors stop growing or become more responsive to existing therapies. If lab results look promising, the team may move toward early clinical testing to see if the approach helps patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with melanoma—particularly those whose tumors have not responded to BRAF/NRAS-targeted drugs or immunotherapy, or whose tumors show SKP2-related changes—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage melanoma already cured by surgery, people with non-melanoma skin cancers, or tumors that do not involve SKP2 changes are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targeted drugs that slow tumor growth or help patients who no longer respond to current melanoma treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in several cancer types suggests that blocking SKP2 can slow tumor growth, but direct clinical evidence in melanoma is limited and this approach remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Inuzuka, Hiroyuki — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Inuzuka, Hiroyuki
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.