Targeting BRAF, NRAS, and PI3K signaling to treat melanoma
Targeting Oncogenic NRAS, BRAF plus PI3'-Kinase Signaling for Melanoma Therapy
New drug combinations aim to block tumor-driving BRAF/NRAS and PI3K signals for people with melanoma, especially those whose tumors have NRAS or BRAF mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299482 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing combinations of targeted drugs that stop the cancer signals caused by BRAF or NRAS mutations and the PI3K pathway. They will test these combinations in lab-grown tumor models and patient-derived samples to find ones that kill tumor cells and prevent resistance. Promising approaches will be advanced toward testing in patients to define safe dosing, tolerability, and how long responses last. The work focuses on options for patients with NRAS-driven melanoma who currently have few effective targeted choices.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced melanoma whose tumors carry NRAS or BRAF mutations, particularly those who did not respond to or cannot receive immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients without NRAS or BRAF mutations or with tumors driven by unrelated pathways are unlikely to benefit from these targeted combinations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give patients with NRAS- or BRAF-mutant melanoma better response rates, longer-lasting disease control, and manageable side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that target BRAF V600E have helped many BRAF-mutant patients, but targeted options for NRAS-driven melanoma remain experimental and combinations with PI3K show promise preclinically but are not yet proven clinically.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcmahon, Martin — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Mcmahon, Martin
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.