Understanding how melanoma cells change state to spread and resist therapy
Official title: Investigation of TFE3 and TFAP2B as critical regulators of melanoma cell plasticity
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11447288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how melanoma cells switch between different states that affect how fast they grow and spread, with the goal of finding ways to stop metastatic progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $556,973 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308104-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Trials or studies may involve patients with melanoma, or their samples, in future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose melanoma is not driven by these specific molecular pathways may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Iowa will explore how the transcription factors TFE3 and TFAP2B regulate melanoma cell plasticity and metastasis. They will compare melanocytic/proliferative cells to mesenchymal/invasive cells, investigate two TFE3 forms, and examine how MITF interacts with these regulators. The work includes experiments in cell lines and animal models to map regulatory pathways and identify potential targets to prevent metastasis. Findings could point toward new strategies to limit invasion and improve responses to therapy for people with melanoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets to prevent metastasis and improve treatment options for melanoma patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown transcription factors can control melanoma cell states and metastasis, supporting the plausibility of these findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kenny, Colin P — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Kenny, Colin P
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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.