Claudia Capparelli, PhD, aims to utilize bioinformatics, molecular approaches, and novel drugs with the ultimate goal of improving and devising new therapeutic options. Unlike cutaneous melanoma, metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) responds poorly to targeted therapies, including MEK inhibitors (MEKi). Additionally, UM frequently does not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICi). Despite the recent FDA approval of Tebentafusp, there remains an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies to treat late-stage UM.

Dr. Capparelli’s aim is to improve the response of UM to targeted therapy and immunotherapy and initiated a collaboration with OPNA-IO to test the effects of two new TEAD inhibitors in combination with targeted and immune therapy. This research would identify ways to attract immune cells to UM, making it more responsive to immune therapies.