NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Anti-MUC16 antibody combo to fight metastatic pancreatic cancer

Official title: Anti-MUC16 humanized antibody combination regimen for targeting metastasis in pancreatic cancer

Funded at Sanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics · NIH-11408229 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new antibody-based treatment added to standard chemotherapy is being tested to slow or stop the spread of pancreatic cancer in preclinical models.

More Pancreatic Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Omaha, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$399,999
NIH project number1R44CA306744-01A1
Project IDNIH-11408229 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are those with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or related PDAC biology in the research setting or future clinical trial candidates.

Less likely to help

Patients without MUC16 expression or those unlikely to respond to antibody-based strategies may see limited or no benefit.

What this research studies

This program focuses on a humanized antibody regimen that targets MUC16, used together with standard chemotherapy to attack metastatic pancreatic cancer in lab models. The work aims to show that this combo can reduce tumor growth and spread by hitting a specific cancer target. It builds on existing MUC16 tools, including the mAb5E6 antibody, to better understand how these therapies work together. If successful in preclinical studies, it could pave the way for future clinical testing in patients with metastatic PDAC.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer could have a more effective treatment option that slows progression when combined with current chemotherapy.

How similar studies have gone: Early preclinical data suggest antibody therapies targeting cancer markers can reduce tumor growth and metastasis in other cancers, but human PDAC-targeted antibodies are still being validated.

Where this research is happening

  • Sanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics
    Omaha, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Souchek, Joshua James — Sanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics
  • Study coordinator: Souchek, Joshua James

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Cystine-limited stress and pancreatic cancer growth and spread

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    NIH research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · Hershey, United States · NIH-11445541

  • Understanding what drives metastasis in pancreatic cancer

    A researcher at a top cancer center is studying why pancreatic cancer spreads, aiming to identify key factors that could be targeted to stop metastasis.

    NIH research University of Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11377200

  • Microbes in pancreatic cancer: where they live and how they affect spread

    This research studies how bacteria inside pancreatic tumors and liver metastases might influence cancer growth and spread, with goals that could lead to new ways to treat or manage pancreatic cancer.

    NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-11373091

  • RHAMM B and pancreatic cancer spread

    Researchers are studying RHAMM B to understand how pancreatic cancer spreads and to find new ways to stop it.

    NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11369170

  • Nucleic acid scavengers to slow pancreatic cancer spread during therapy

    This project tests a new approach that uses special molecules to soak up DNA/RNA fragments released during pancreatic cancer treatment to help prevent cancer spread.

    NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11331985

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.