Understanding how cell movement affects melanoma spread
Official title: Planar Cell Polarity Control in Melanoma Metastasis
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-11073102 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific pathway in our cells might help melanoma, a serious skin cancer that often affects military personnel, spread to other parts of the body, with the hope of finding new ways to slow down the cancer and improve treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002308-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073102 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include U.S. military veterans who have been diagnosed with melanoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma who are not veterans or those with early-stage melanoma that has not metastasized may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway in the spread of melanoma, a serious skin cancer that disproportionately affects military personnel due to high sun exposure. The study aims to explore how this pathway influences the movement and invasion of melanoma cells, potentially leading to new strategies for preventing the cancer from metastasizing to other organs. By focusing on the mechanisms of cell migration, the research seeks to identify ways to slow down melanoma progression and improve outcomes for patients. The findings could provide insights into innovative treatment approaches that go beyond traditional methods of targeting tumor growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent melanoma from spreading, significantly improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the PCP pathway has been studied in other cancers, its specific role in melanoma is largely untested, making this research a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Hao — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Chang, Hao
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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.