Project summary
Many melanoma patients (40-65%) do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) due to resistance driven by pathways like WNT/β-catenin. This resistance, linked to β-catenin in 42% of cutaneous melanoma cases, currently lacks targeted treatments.
Researchers at Oslo University Hospital have developed promising tankyrase inhibitors, that block WNT/β-catenin signaling. These drugs have shown potential in overcoming immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Notably, TNKS inhibition can increase levels of MITF, a key factor in immune system activation against melanoma. MITF improves how tumors present antigens, enhancing immune cell activity and boosting the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
This study aims to explore how TNKS inhibition can better activate the immune response to melanoma.
