Understanding how zinc affects treatment resistance in melanoma
Official title: Cell intrinsic and extrinsic effects of zinc metabolism in therapy resistant melanoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11163979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how zinc levels in the body might affect the success of a specific cancer treatment for melanoma patients who have low p16 protein, with the hope that adjusting zinc could help improve their response to therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $673,526 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA301573-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are melanoma patients exhibiting low p16 expression and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma who do not have low p16 expression or who are not resistant to immune checkpoint blockade therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how zinc metabolism influences the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in melanoma patients, particularly those with low levels of the p16 protein. By examining the role of the zinc transporter SLC39A9, the study aims to determine if altering zinc levels can improve treatment responses. The approach includes advanced techniques like CRISPR to manipulate genes and assess their impact on tumor behavior and immune response. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to enhanced therapies for resistant melanoma cases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for melanoma patients who currently do not respond well to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in manipulating zinc levels to enhance immune responses in cancer, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aird, Katherine Marie — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Aird, Katherine Marie
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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.