Autophagy and AMPK in pancreatic cancer metabolism
Official title: Project 3: The AMPK Autophagy Pathway as a Metabolic Liability in Pancratic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11364227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research program tests how a cellular recycling process (autophagy) driven by AMPK affects pancreatic cancer growth and treatment resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $394,705 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA265762-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364227 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or healthcare partners willing to contribute biological samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for autophagy-targeted approaches or without pancreatic cancer may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how autophagy helps pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma survive in a tough tumor environment and respond to therapies. Researchers will map the AMPK-ULK1/ULK2 pathway and explore how it controls autophagy and related gene regulation. They aim to identify potential targets to improve existing treatments and overcome resistance, with findings likely guiding future clinical strategies. The work is conducted in a lab setting using models relevant to human pancreatic cancer, with explicit focus on mechanisms that could translate to patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new strategies that make pancreatic cancer therapies more effective and durable.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown autophagy to influence therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Reuben — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Reuben
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.