Understanding how melanoma spreads to bones and affects the immune system
Official title: DISSECTING THE ROLE OF THE IMMUNE MICROENVIRONMENT IN MELANOMA BONE METASTASIS
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11043540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how melanoma cells spread into bones and change the immune system there, which can cause problems like pain and fractures, and it's designed for people with melanoma to help understand how these changes happen in their bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $198,103 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA297650-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are melanoma patients who have developed bone metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without melanoma or those whose cancer has not metastasized to the bone are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which melanoma cells infiltrate bone tissue and alter the immune environment, which can lead to complications such as fractures and pain. Using advanced preclinical models that mimic human bone metastasis, the study aims to identify how melanoma interacts with immune cells in the bone microenvironment. By comparing affected bones to healthy ones, researchers hope to uncover specific immune responses and cellular changes that contribute to the severity of bone metastasis in melanoma patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for melanoma patients with bone metastasis, enhancing their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in other cancers has shown that understanding the bone microenvironment can lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernando, Eva — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Hernando, Eva
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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.