Using estrogen receptor beta to help prevent and slow melanoma
Estrogen receptor beta is a targetable melanoma tumor suppressor
Researchers are testing whether boosting a protein called estrogen receptor beta can help prevent or slow melanoma and improve immune responses in people with the disease or at risk for it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228419 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models and lab-grown melanocyte cells to learn how estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) suppresses melanoma and controls cell differentiation, growth, and movement. The team will map ERβ's gene targets in pigment cells and study how ERβ affects immune cells that enter tumors. They will also test an ERβ-specific drug that appears to activate T cells and lower immune checkpoint signals in lab and animal models. The goal is to connect the basic biology to ways ERβ-targeting approaches could make tumors less likely to start or grow and more responsive to immune attack.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with melanoma or those at high risk for melanoma—especially patients whose tumors show low ERβ activity or who are considering immunotherapy—would be the most relevant group for future ERβ-targeted trials.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers driven by completely different pathways, or those whose tumors do not involve ERβ-related biology, may not benefit from ERβ-directed approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that slow melanoma growth and boost the immune system’s ability to fight tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical data link low ERβ to worse melanoma outcomes and early lab studies show ERβ loss speeds tumors and ERβ agonists can boost T cells, but ERβ-targeted treatments remain experimental.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burd, Craig J — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Burd, Craig J
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.