Stopping melanoma from becoming resistant to treatment
Preventing MAPK inhibitor resistance in melanoma by targeting genomic instability and immune resistance
This project looks for new ways to prevent melanoma from developing resistance to a common type of medication called MAPK inhibitors, helping more patients benefit from these treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182693 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients with BRAFV600MUT melanoma, current treatments often stop working over time because the cancer becomes resistant to the medication. This project aims to find strategies to prevent this resistance from happening in the first place. Researchers believe that by addressing how melanoma cells adapt early in treatment, they can make therapies more effective and lasting. This could also potentially extend the use of these important medications to patients with other types of melanoma who currently cannot receive them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with melanoma, particularly those with BRAFV600MUT melanoma or other forms of the disease that might benefit from MAPK inhibitor therapy, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose melanoma does not involve the MAPK pathway or who are not candidates for MAPK inhibitor therapy may not directly benefit from this specific research direction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatments for melanoma, potentially benefiting a wider range of patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research by this team and others has shown that melanoma develops genomic instability and immune resistance under treatment pressure, providing a foundation for this novel preventive approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lo, Roger S — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lo, Roger S
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.