# Identifying Microenvironmental Factors Regulating Melanoma Promotion and Immune Evasion

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2022 · $104,944

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This SERCA K01 application aims to provide the protected time and mentorship for Dr. Hyeongsun Moon,
DVM, PhD to make the successful transition to a tenure-track, independent principal investigator.
Dr. Moon is a veterinarian and cancer biologist that utilizes genetically engineered animal models with a long-
term goal to establish a unique academic tumor microenvironment lab that encompasses all of his research
skills. Under the guidance of his well-established mentors, cancer immunologist, Dr. William Murphy, PhD and
comparative pathologist, Dr. Alexander Borowsky, MD and advisory committee members, the mentored
research and career development period will solidify Dr. Moon’s expertise in cancer research using preclinical
mouse models and the state-of-the-art immuno-oncology/pathology assessments, and prepare himself to
become an independent academic researcher and establish his lab which aims to define the tumor
microenvironment in cancer promotion, and ultimately find novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. The
prestigious host institute, the University of California at Davis, the School of Veterinary Medicine and School of
Medicine, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides an excellent environment for both successful
research accomplishment and academic career development. Cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest skin
cancer with a continuous increase in its annual incidence rate. While genetic etiologies and risk factors are
well-known, little is known about the mechanisms behind the factors governing melanoma promotion including
immune evasive characteristics. This study seeks to identify regional niche factors regulating tumor outgrowth
and response to immunotherapy. Based on preliminary data, this grant application focuses on the
microenvironmental C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) signaling axis and its role in these processes. The
central hypothesis of the proposed study is that microenvironmental CXCL12, also known as stromal cell-
derived factor 1 (SDF-1), facilitates melanoma promotion and immune evasion via generating a pro-
tumorigenic niche environment. The specific aims are: Specific Aim #1. Define the role of CXCL12 signaling
axis in early melanoma promotion. Specific Aim #2. Define the role of tumor microenvironmental CXCL12 in
melanoma immunotherapy. These studies will generate valuable information on how a specific chemokine
signaling pathway promotes melanoma promotion and immune evasion in a genetically susceptible population
and will lay the foundation for a future R01 application aimed at deciphering what factors play a critical role in
melanoma outgrowth and oncogenic communication networks with immune cells. Overall, this award will grant
competitiveness and independence to Dr. Moon particularly on targeting the tumor microenvironment for
successful melanoma treatment and will lay the foundation towards a successful tenure-track researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10399646
- **Project number:** 5K01OD030518-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Hyeongsun Moon
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $104,944
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10399646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10399646, Identifying Microenvironmental Factors Regulating Melanoma Promotion and Immune Evasion (5K01OD030518-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10399646. Licensed CC0.

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