Understanding how aging affects melanoma spread and treatment resistance
Official title: Rewired Signaling at the Nexus of Melanoma Metastasis and Resistance
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11218647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting older affects the way melanoma spreads and how well treatments work, focusing on both the tumor itself and the gut bacteria that help the immune system fight cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to treat older patients with melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $826,436 |
| NIH project number | 7R35CA283706-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11218647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with melanoma who may be experiencing treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or have non-melanoma skin cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging influences the mechanisms that control melanoma metastasis and resistance to therapy. It focuses on both tumor-intrinsic factors, such as specific proteins that affect cell survival, and tumor-extrinsic factors, including the role of gut microbiota in shaping immune responses against tumors. By studying aged mice, the research aims to uncover how these factors interact and contribute to the challenges in treating melanoma effectively. The findings could lead to new strategies for improving treatment outcomes in older patients with melanoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for melanoma in older patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of aging and microbiota in cancer, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ronai, Zeev a. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ronai, Zeev a.
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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.