Targeting serotonin receptors to boost a cancer cell weakness in uveal melanoma
Official title: Enhancing sensitivity to GNAQ/11 pathway inhibitors by antagonizing the serotonin HTR2B receptor in uveal melanoma
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11440890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small funding project tests whether blocking the serotonin HTR2B receptor can weaken mutant GNAQ/GNA11-driven uveal melanoma cells to help fight metastatic eye cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 27, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,686 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA317293-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with uveal melanoma or those whose cancer has specific GNAQ/GNA11 mutations and metastatic risk, in contexts where such therapies are tested.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers not driven by GNAQ/GNA11 mutations or those without access to related clinical trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study looks at uveal melanoma, a cancer of the eye, where most tumors have specific genetic changes in GNAQ/GNA11. The researchers will test if blocking the serotonin receptor HTR2B can push the cancer-driving signaling toward inactivity. The work uses cell models and possibly animal studies to explore how HTR2B antagonism affects tumor cell behavior. If successful, this approach could reveal a new therapeutic angle for patients whose disease spreads beyond the eye.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, it could lead to new treatments that slow or stop metastatic uveal melanoma.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest GPCR targets can influence mutant signaling in melanoma models; this project explores a novel link with HTR2B in uveal melanoma.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wedegaertner, Philip B — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Wedegaertner, Philip B
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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.