Understanding how blood vessel changes affect immune response in melanoma
Unraveling Vascular Mediated Immune Exclusion in Melanoma
This study is looking at how changes in blood vessels might keep immune cells from fighting melanoma tumors, focusing on a protein called Angiopoietin-2, to find new ways to make immunotherapy work better for people with melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10951261 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which changes in blood vessels can lead to immune cells being excluded from attacking melanoma tumors. It focuses on the role of a protein called Angiopoietin-2, which may disrupt the normal function of blood vessels and prevent immune cells from reaching the tumor. By studying these interactions, the research aims to identify new ways to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for melanoma patients. The approach includes analyzing the tumor microenvironment and the signaling pathways involved in immune cell infiltration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with melanoma, particularly those who have shown resistance to current immunotherapy treatments.
Not a fit: Patients with non-melanoma skin cancers or those who are not currently undergoing treatment for melanoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy strategies for melanoma patients, potentially increasing treatment effectiveness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting tumor vasculature to improve immune responses, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Minah — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kim, Minah
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.