# Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program SPORE

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $2,037,632

## Abstract

Project Summary Abstract: Overall
Skin cancers are the most common cancers in the US, including melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell
carcinoma (cSCC). Despite substantial progress, most patients with advanced melanoma do not benefit from
treatment, while the most potent therapies of melanoma also cause serious adverse events. In addition, we still
need safe, efficient, and cost-effective therapies of cSCCs in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients
that could transform treatment and outcomes for these at-risk patient populations. The overall goal of the
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program (MSCP SPORE) is to develop novel translational research to overcome
the hurdles of current therapies of melanoma and cSCCs. Each of the three Projects results from seminal and
innovative findings made by the investigators of the MSCP SPORE, which are translated into new
combinatorial immunotherapy trials for patients with melanoma and skin cancers. Project 1 will assess the
clinical and immunological activity of anti-LAG3 alone and in combination with anti-PD1, for the first time, in
treatment-naïve MPs who have not received prior ICB. Project 2 will evaluate the efficacy, and immunogenicity
of CMP-001 (CMP), a type A CpG, in PD1 naïve metastatic melanoma in the context of a phase II/III
randomized clinical trial with intratumoral CMP and nivolumab (CMP/nivo) vs. nivo. Project 3 will test a novel
microneedle array (MNA) device to deliver both a potent chemotherapeutic agent to induce immunogenic cell
death and an innate immune stimulant into accessible cSCCs. This approach will be tested both in
immunocompetent and immunosuppressed cancer patients.The MSCP SPORE will use innovative strategies
to determine the mechanisms of response and resistance to the proposed therapies. The investigators will be
supported by shared-facility cores to provide state-of-the-art expertise and economies-of-scale in 1) sample
collection and processing, translational pathology, data annotation, biospecimen repository, and
immunomonitoring (Core 1); and 2) biostatistics and bioinformatics (Core 2), supporting rigor and
reproducibility across all research projects. The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) and Development
Research Program (DRP) will attract talented basic, translational, and clinical investigators into melanoma
research. The MSCP SPORE leverages Hillman Cancer center (HCC) resources and institutional commitment
with state-of-the-art research and clinical facilities, clinical regulatory services to support clinical trial
coordination, and translational research. The MSCP SPORE includes outstanding External and Internal
Advisory Boards (EAB, IAB), an Executive Committee that is highly experienced in the successful
management of SPOREs and Patient Advocates. The organizational structure of the MSCP SPORE will
facilitate thorough following of progress and managing of potential hurdles for each project. The MSCP SPORE
will share data with the scientific community and other SPO...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10270227
- **Project number:** 1P50CA254865-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** John Munn Kirkwood
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $2,037,632
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10270227

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10270227, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program SPORE (1P50CA254865-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10270227. Licensed CC0.

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