Grant funding supports projects improving melanoma outcomes
PHILADELPHIA — (July 29, 2026) — The Wistar Institute, an international biomedical research leader in cancer, immunology, and infectious disease, has received an $800,000 translational grant from the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The grant, part of the V Foundation’s Breaking Barriers in Cancer Research Award program, will allow Jessie Villanueva, Ph.D., and her lab to pursue research into new potential ways to treat drug-resistant melanoma.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and cases continue to rise. While current treatments help many of those fighting melanoma, approximately 50% of patients do not respond to treatments.
“This translational grant helps support our efforts to make targeted therapy and immunotherapy work better,” explains Villanueva, associate professor in the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center and member, Melanoma Research Center, at The Wistar Institute. “Our goal is to find treatments that either fully remove tumors or keep them away for as long as possible. By going after the cells that survive treatment, we hope to improve outcomes for people with melanoma.”
Villanueva’s lab focuses on melanoma with mutations in the NRAS gene, a particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant form of cancer that is found in about one-fourth of patients. Until recently, there were few treatments for these tumors.
Villanueva and her team have identified a key vulnerability in treatment resistant melanoma cells harboring mutations in NRAS—one that may be targeted by disrupting how these cells process fats and manage stress. By testing promising drug combinations, including some using existing FDA-approved therapies, the lab aims at stopping resistant cells earlier and help create longer-lasting responses for people with melanoma.
“I’m truly thankful to the V Foundation for their support of this important project,” said Villanueva. “Although we focus on melanoma, this research has broader implications and some of our findings could also help improve treatment for other types of cancer driven by mutant RAS.”
About the V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded over $500 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer and save lives.
ABOUT THE WISTAR INSTITUTE:
The Wistar Institute is the nation’s first independent nonprofit institution devoted exclusively to foundational biomedical research and training. Since 1972, the Institute has held National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center status. Through a culture and commitment to biomedical collaboration and innovation, Wistar science leads to breakthrough early-stage discoveries and life science sector start-ups. Wistar scientists are dedicated to solving some of the world’s most challenging problems in the field of cancer and immunology, advancing human health through early-stage discovery and training the next generation of biomedical researchers. wistar.org
