Targeting RasGRP3 and Protein Kinase D in uveal (eye) melanoma
RasGRP3 and Protein Kinase D as therapeutic targets for Uveal Melanoma
Looking into whether blocking the proteins RasGRP3 and Protein Kinase D can lead to new treatments for people with uveal (eye) melanoma, especially those whose cancer has spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252175 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on uveal melanoma, an eye cancer that commonly spreads to the liver and is often hard to treat. Researchers will study why RasGRP3 is unusually high in uveal melanoma and how it links mutant Gαq signaling to cancer growth. They will use lab models, CRISPR gene tools, drug inhibitors, and analysis of human tumor samples to test whether blocking RasGRP3 or Protein Kinase D (PKD) slows tumor growth or reverses resistance to MEK inhibitors. Promising lab findings would guide development of new drugs or future clinical trials for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with uveal melanoma—particularly those with tumors harboring GNAQ/GNA11 mutations or with liver metastases—would be the most relevant candidates for future trials stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with other melanoma subtypes or cancers that do not show activation of the Gαq–RasGRP3–PKD pathway are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new drug targets that lead to more effective treatments for metastatic uveal melanoma.
How similar studies have performed: This is a relatively new approach for uveal melanoma; prior targeted and immune therapies have mostly failed in this disease, although preclinical data indicate PKD may drive resistance and is a promising target.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xu — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xu
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.