# Optimization of Tannic Acid Lipid Nanoparticles for a Therapeutic mRNA Vaccine Against Melanoma

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $226,293

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors
targeting PD1 and CTLA4 and the targeted therapies against BRAF and MEK have greatly improved overall
survival in metastatic melanoma. Nevertheless, many patients die from metastatic melanoma including those
with inflamed tumors (i.e., tumors bearing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes). There is therefore room to improve
melanoma treatments for human patients.
 Here we propose the development of therapeutic mRNA vaccines against melanomas. Specifically, our
proposal leverages a materials optimization approach to identify an Optimized Tannic Acid Lipid Nanoparticle
Formulation that can suppress melanoma growth by delivering mRNAs encoding Melanoma-Associated
Antigens into Dendritic Cell Populations. In undertaking this approach, this proposal aims to further our
understanding of the mRNA delivery capabilities of Tannic Acid Lipid Nanoparticles while simultaneously laying
the groundwork to advance therapeutic mRNA vaccines against melanomas toward the clinic.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10893477
- **Project number:** 5R21EB034942-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Owen S Fenton
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $226,293
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10893477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10893477, Optimization of Tannic Acid Lipid Nanoparticles for a Therapeutic mRNA Vaccine Against Melanoma (5R21EB034942-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10893477. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*