Topical immunoprevention targets for preventing skin cancer from sun damage
Official title: Investigating novel targets for topical immunoprevention of keratinocytic skin cancer
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11381930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at the University of Arizona is exploring immune-based strategies applied to the skin to help prevent skin cancers caused by sun exposure, with a focus on humans and real skin samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $455,188 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3CA290443-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with actinic keratoses or other signs of sun-damaged skin who are at risk for non-melanoma skin cancer.
✕Less likely to help
People without sun-damaged skin or at low risk of skin cancer may not benefit from this preventive strategy.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the skin’s immune system changes after sun exposure and whether blocking certain immune checkpoints could stop early skin cancers from forming. Researchers will use human skin samples ranging from sun-protected to sun-damaged skin and actinic keratoses to test new targets for prevention. The UG3 phase will examine how UV-driven immune changes might create an environment that lets cancer start and whether these changes can be blocked with topical interventions. If successful, this work could lead to new preventive options that are applied directly to the skin. The study is designed to pave the way for future trials and real-world prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to topical preventive treatments that reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers in people with sun-damaged skin.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that PD-L1 is upregulated after UV exposure, supporting the rationale for targeting immune checkpoints for prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickinson, Sally E — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Dickinson, Sally E
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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.