Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute awarded Weill Medical College of Cornell University a $694,133 Project Grant under the Cancer Biology Research program (CFDA 93.396) on May 14, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2031. This research initiative focuses on defining the role of sympathetic nervous system axons in controlling melanoma tumor progression, with particular emphasis on how these neuronal projections inhibit cancer growth through interactions with immune effectors in the tumor microenvironment. The project investigates the mechanisms by which sympathetic axons release norepinephrine to activate adrenergic receptors on target cells, with specific focus on myeloid-derived immune cells and macrophages as critical mediators of nerve-derived anti-tumor signals.

The funded research addresses a significant gap in understanding how nervous system signaling within melanoma tumors can overcome therapeutic resistance—a substantial clinical challenge given that many melanoma patients develop resistance to existing chemotherapies and immunotherapies. Through genetic analysis and mechanistic investigation, the project aims to characterize which cell types in the melanoma microenvironment express relevant adrenergic receptors and determine the functional requirements for these receptors in axonal inhibition of tumor growth. This fundamental research is expected to establish whether axons represent viable therapeutic targets and provide new strategies for potentiating existing cancer therapies, ultimately contributing to improved treatment outcomes for patients with resistant melanomas.