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Targeting KDM5 Histone Demethylases to Boost Immune Response in Melanoma

Jian Cao, PhD

Qin Yan, PhD

Career Development Award

Rutgers University

Funded by the Denver and Chicago Wings of Hope for Melanoma Gala Fund-A-Grant

Description:

The goal of this research is to target KDM5s family proteins to enhance the response to immune checkpoint inhibition in melanoma. The recently developed immune checkpoint blockade therapies release the brakes in patients’ immune cells and free these immune cells to attack tumor cells. However, most patients do not response because of lack of sufficient immune cells in tumors. Our earlier work has shown a connection between the KDM5 family proteins and cancer immune response. A combination of inhibitors of the KDM5 family proteins and immune checkpoint blockade therapies is like to press accelerator and release break simultaneously, leading to an enhanced anti-tumor immune response. This study will investigate the mechanism of anti-tumor immune response induced by KDM5 inhibition and evaluate the combination of KDM5 inhibition with immune checkpoint blockade therapies for treating melanoma. This combination will likely allow more melanoma patients to benefit from immunotherapies.