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Dissecting Inter-Compartmental Tumor-Host Communication Driving Early Dissemination in Uveal Melanoma.

Award Number: R01CA311805
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/05/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/01/2031

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Dissecting Inter-Compartmental Tumor-Host Communication Driving Early Dissemination in Uveal Melanoma. - Project Summary Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare cancer of the eye that often spreads to the liver, with few treatment options once metastasis occurs. While genetic features like monosomy 3, BAP1 loss, GEP class 2, and PRAME expression help identify high-risk tumors, we still don’t fully understand how these tumors spread—especially how they interact with and influence other parts of the body before metastases are visible. This project aims to better understand how UM tumors send signals across different biological compartments— within the eye, into the bloodstream, and through circulating cells. We’re building on a prospective, longitudinal cohort of over 100 newly diagnosed patients, collecting samples from the tumor, aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye), plasma, and peripheral blood at multiple timepoints. By analyzing extracellular vesicles, soluble proteins, and rare circulating cell types, we hope to map how signals move and evolve over time and space. In Aim 1, we’ll examine how high-risk tumor features shape the local environment of the eye. Aim 2 will follow changes in plasma to understand how signals originating in the tumor show up systemically. Aim 3 focuses on rare circulating cells, using advanced imaging tools to determine how these cells reflect or respond to cross- compartment signaling. We’ll integrate data from all compartments and timepoints to define communication “states” that may help explain why some tumors spread early. This will be the most detailed study of its kind in UM. By focusing on communication between compartments— not just single markers—we hope to gain new insight into how early spread happens, and how it might be detected or interrupted before metastasis occurs. These findings could lay the groundwork for future strategies to monitor high-risk patients or develop early intervention approaches. Because UM is a rare cancer with few large-scale, mechanistic studies, this work may also inform approaches for other cancers with low mutational burden and limited immune responsiveness. The project aligns with NCI’s priorities for rare cancer research and directly addresses the goals of NIH Notice NOT-CA-25-010, which encourages innovative, liquid biopsy–based studies of tumor–host communication.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $573,286 )
2026	2026	CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES	4650 W SUNSET BLVD	LOS ANGELES	CA	90027	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	5/7/2026	NEW	$573,286
														Subtotal = $573,286

Grand Total All Awards = $573,286

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Dissecting Inter-Compartmental Tumor-Host Communication Driving Early Dissemination in Uveal Melanoma.

Award Number: R01CA311805

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/05/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/01/2031

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