New Zealand faces a uniquely severe challenge with skin cancer, particularly melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin malignancy originating from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. With its proximity to the equator, intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, and a predominantly fair-skinned population of European descent, the country records some of the highest melanoma incidence and mortality rates worldwide, alongside Australia. In 2022, there were 3,116 melanoma registrations, making it the third most common cancer for both men and women. Mortality stood at 294 deaths in 2020, with an age-standardised rate of 3.2 per 100,000 population, peaking higher among older males of European ethnicity. Over 7,000 new melanoma cases are diagnosed annually, claiming around 300 lives each year, underscoring the urgent public health crisis and the critical role of innovative research led by New Zealand's universities.

This dire situation has spurred significant investment in academic research, positioning higher education institutions at the forefront of the fight against melanoma. Recent funding announcements highlight how university-based scientists are pioneering novel therapies to overcome treatment resistances, offering hope for improved survival rates and inspiring the next generation of researchers.

$1 Million Winn Trust Grant Fuels University of Auckland Melanoma Innovations

In a landmark development announced in January 2026, the Winn Trust awarded $1 million to two University of Auckland researchers: Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson from the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre and Dr. Dean Singleton, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the Centre for Cancer Research. This substantial funding targets the development of new strategies to eradicate deadly melanomas, particularly those resistant to existing therapies.

The grant supports parallel projects addressing key gaps in melanoma treatment. Jamieson's work focuses on NRAS-mutant melanomas, which account for 15-20% of cases and carry a poor prognosis due to limited targeted therapies. Singleton investigates mechanisms behind immunotherapy failure in approximately 60% of metastatic cases, where cancer spreads to organs like the lungs, brain, or liver. These efforts build on prior academic achievements and leverage unique national resources, exemplifying how philanthropic support accelerates university-led breakthroughs.

Complementing this, Cancer Society New Zealand provided an additional $200,000 to Jamieson's team for SHOC2 protein inhibition studies, demonstrating layered funding that sustains long-term higher education research momentum.

Unpacking NRAS-Mutant Melanoma: Jamieson's Gene-Editing Quest

NRAS (Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog) mutations drive uncontrolled cell growth in melanoma by hyperactivating signaling pathways like MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase). Unlike BRAF-mutant melanomas treatable with targeted inhibitors, NRAS variants lack effective drugs, leading to rapid progression post-initial therapies.

Building on a 2025 publication in Cancer Communications, Jamieson's team used whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens—a precise gene-editing technique using CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) to systematically disable genes and identify vulnerabilities—to pinpoint SHOC2 (SH2 domain-containing protein 2), a scaffold protein essential for NRAS-mutant cell survival. The process involves: (1) culturing patient-derived melanoma cells; (2) introducing CRISPR libraries targeting thousands of genes; (3) selecting surviving cells to reveal dependencies; and (4) validating hits like SHOC2.

With the new funding, researchers will screen billions of small-molecule compounds to identify SHOC2 inhibitors, potentially yielding a novel drug or combination therapy within five years. 'Melanoma is a major issue in New Zealand... there’s an urgent need for new treatments,' Jamieson emphasized, highlighting the translational potential from lab to clinic.

Decoding Immunotherapy Evasion: Singleton's Differentiation State Research

Immunotherapy, particularly checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody blocking the PD-1 receptor to unleash T-cell attacks on cancer), revolutionizes advanced melanoma care but fails in 60% of patients. Singleton's project explores how melanoma cells adapt by altering differentiation states—shifting between proliferative and invasive forms—to evade immune detection.

PhD student Claire Palma's work, funded by Cancer Society Auckland Northland, targets the PHD2 gene (Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain-containing protein 2), a key oxygen sensor regulating hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) under low-oxygen conditions common in tumors. By inhibiting PHD2, the team aims to exploit these metabolic vulnerabilities, preventing cellular 'hiding' and enhancing immunotherapy efficacy. 'We’re investigating what’s going on in those different melanoma cell differentiation states and how best to target them,' Singleton noted.

This step-by-step approach—profiling resistant cells via single-cell RNA sequencing, identifying pathway alterations, and testing PHD2 blockers in preclinical models—promises personalized strategies, vital for New Zealand's high-burden context.

The New Zealand Melanoma Living Biobank: A University-Led Powerhouse

Central to both projects is the New Zealand Melanoma living biobank, a collaborative university resource housing over 100 living cell lines derived directly from patient tumors. Unlike frozen samples, these 'living' models preserve tumor heterogeneity, genetic diversity, and drug responses reflective of real-world NZ melanomas.

Maintained by institutions like the University of Auckland, the biobank enables high-throughput drug screening and personalized medicine testing. Key benefits include:

• Representativeness: Captures all melanoma subtypes prevalent in NZ's population.
• Translational Speed: Accelerates from discovery to clinical trials by providing ready models.
• Equity Focus: Supports research on underserved mutations like NRAS.
• Training Hub: Trains PhD students and postdocs in advanced biobanking techniques.

Such infrastructure underscores universities' role in sustaining national research ecosystems.

University of Otago and Beyond: A Vibrant NZ Higher Ed Research Landscape

Complementing Auckland's efforts, University of Otago researchers under Professor Mike Eccles published breakthroughs in Cancer Letters identifying DNA methylation and gene expression biomarkers predicting Keytruda response rates (only 30-40% effective). Funded by the Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand and Maurice Wilkins Centre, this work enables precise patient stratification.

Additionally, Dr. Daniel Verdon at Auckland secured Melanoma New Zealand Research Fund support for innovative projects enhancing patient outcomes. Cancer Society NZ awarded over $1 million across five projects in December 2025, including early detection and prehabilitation.Melanoma New Zealand Research Fund These multi-institutional collaborations highlight higher education's collaborative spirit.

Pharmac's Role: Expanding Access to Melanoma Therapies

Parallel to research, Pharmac (Pharmaceutical Management Agency) widened access to pembrolizumab and other immunotherapies from June 2025 for stage III/IV melanomas, funded by Budget 2024 boosts. This bridges academia and healthcare, with HRC-supported trials informing decisions.

Persistent Challenges in Melanoma Management

Despite advances, hurdles remain: high UV exposure (90% attributable risk), delayed diagnoses in rural areas, and ethnic disparities (European rates 5x Māori). Economic burden exceeds $100 million annually in treatments alone. University researchers advocate integrated solutions: prevention campaigns, AI diagnostics, and combo therapies.

Risks of current treatments include immunotherapy toxicities (managed via expanded Pharmac funding) and resistance emergence, necessitating the funded projects' innovations.

Future Outlook: From Lab to Lifesaving Therapies

Within 5-7 years, SHOC2/PHD2 inhibitors could enter trials, potentially halving NRAS mortality. Long-term, genomic profiling via Genome NZ initiatives will personalize care. Universities like Auckland and Otago are pivotal, attracting global talent and fostering PhD/postdoc programs.

For aspiring academics, this boom signals opportunities. Explore research jobs in higher education or postdoc positions to contribute.

Careers in Cancer Research: Thriving in New Zealand Universities

NZ's melanoma crisis fuels research funding, creating roles in pharmacology, pathology, and bioinformatics. Universities offer competitive salaries, with lecturers earning ~NZ$115k.Learn how to become a lecturer. PhDs supervised by Jamieson/Singleton types provide hands-on biobank/genomics experience, boosting global employability.

• Skills in demand: CRISPR editing, single-cell sequencing, drug screening.
• Career paths: Academia, pharma (e.g., Maurice Wilkins Centre), clinical trials.
• Support: HRC grants, Cancer Society fellowships.

Check NZ university jobs for openings.

Prevention Strategies: Empowering Communities

While research advances treatments, prevention slashes incidence. Slip-slop-slap-seek-slide (SunSmart campaign) reduces risk by 50%:

• Slip on protective clothing.
• Slop on SPF50+ sunscreen hourly.
• Slap on a hat.
• Seek shade midday.
• Slide on sunglasses.

Regular checks via EHINZ melanoma data aid early detection.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Impacts

Cancer Society NZ praises the funding: 'Empowering bold science.' Patients via Melanoma NZ emphasize lived experiences guiding biobank ethics. Economically, successes could save healthcare costs, freeing funds for education. Globally, NZ innovations may influence WHO strategies.

In higher education, such projects elevate rankings, drawing international collaborations like Jamieson's ex-PhD student at Cambridge.

Photo by Gaurav Kumar on Unsplash