# ANALYSIS OF MELANOMA GROWTH AND REGRESSION

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR · 1987 · $13,850

## Abstract

Melanoma of Sinclair swine provides a unique probe for studying the
initiation, growth, and regression of human melanoma.  The majority of
human melanomas arise from preexisting nevi, are apparently influenced by
host hormonal and immune status, and can undergo spontaneous regression.
Swine melanomas exhibit similar characteristics.  They arise from
preexisting nevi, show generally rapid growth soon after birth, and regress
during and following puberty.  Our laboratory has been attempting to
correlate histopathologic changes in tumor status with specific physiologic
triggers of melanoma growth and regression.  The most significant changes
in the hormonal status of Sinclair swine occur during suckling, weaning,
puberty, and maturity--times at which the majority of tumor growth is
initiated or ceases.

These studies have required a synthesis of the disciplines of reproductive
endocrinology, molecular endocrinology, developmental biology, and tumor
biology and have led to a formal collaboration to determine whether:
(1)\perturbations in plasma endocrine profiles are correlated with changes
in tumor dynamics; (2)\hormonal influences on tumor dynamics are receptor
mediated; and (3)\growth and metastatic potential are genetically
predetermined and/or directly influenced by estrogen using athymic mice.

We suggest that an in-depth examination of melanoma cells in culture and
hormonal factors controlling swine melanoma growth will provide new
information on molecular mechanisms regulating neoplastic transformation
and regression and will lead eventually to novel diagnostic and therapeutic
approaches for human melanoma.  (N)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3171556
- **Project number:** 3R01CA033764-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HFT7XTHB6563
- **Principal Investigator:** MAX S AMOSS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $13,850
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1984-07-01 → 1987-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3171556

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3171556, ANALYSIS OF MELANOMA GROWTH AND REGRESSION (3R01CA033764-03S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3171556. Licensed CC0.

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