Blocking cancer's iron supply to help pancreatic cancer drugs work better
Targeting iron metabolism in pancreatic adenocarcinoma to overcome KRAS inhibitor therapeutic resistance
['FUNDING_R01'] · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · NIH-11311368
This project tests whether stopping pancreatic cancer cells from using stored iron can help people with KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma respond longer to new KRAS-targeting drugs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DANA-FARBER CANCER INST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11311368 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying how pancreatic tumors use a process called ferritinophagy to release iron and survive treatment with KRAS-targeting drugs. They will use lab-grown cancer cells, animal models, and analysis of tumor samples to map how iron and autophagy drive drug resistance. The team will then test combinations of KRAS inhibitors with treatments that block iron metabolism to find approaches that stop or delay resistance. Promising combinations would be candidates for future clinical testing in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors have KRAS mutations and who are eligible for or receiving KRAS-targeted therapy.
Not a fit: Patients without KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer or those with tumor types unrelated to the studied iron-autophagy pathway are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make KRAS-targeting treatments work for longer and potentially improve outcomes for people with KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical trials of KRAS inhibitors have shown activity in pancreatic cancer but resistance is common, and targeting iron metabolism is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with encouraging laboratory data but not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- DANA-FARBER CANCER INST — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MANCIAS, JOSEPH D — DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- Study coordinator: MANCIAS, JOSEPH D
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 below.
Conditions: Cancer Cause, Cancer Etiology, Cancer Genes