Bioelectrical signals in pancreatic cancer cells: shaping immune responses
Official title: Bioelectrical Regulation of Innate Immunity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Funded at North Dakota State University · NIH-11519126 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how electrical signals inside pancreatic cancer cells affect how the immune system can fight the cancer, with the goal of making immunotherapy work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Dakota State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fargo, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $180,651 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM109024-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11519126 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are candidates for DNA-damaging therapies and/or immunotherapy may benefit from future translational approaches arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
The study is preclinical and may not directly benefit patients in the near term.
What this research studies
Pancreatic cancer is incredibly hard to treat, and this project looks at the cell’s own electrical and signaling systems to understand why immune therapies often fail. By studying proteins like Junctophilin-2 and potassium channels, researchers will see how bioelectrical changes influence how cancer cells detect DNA damage and respond to therapy. The work includes analyzing cell behavior under DNA-damaging conditions and testing how altering membrane potential impacts nucleic acid sensing and immune activation. Findings could reveal new angles to make existing treatments more effective for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to strategies that enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests that linking bioelectrical signaling to immune activation is a promising but emerging area with some supportive preclinical data.
Where this research is happening
-
North Dakota State University
Fargo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Ang — North Dakota State University
- Study coordinator: Guo, Ang
Related research
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Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
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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.