Blocking mTOR signaling to treat pancreatic cancer
Targeting MTOR signaling in pancreatic cancer
This project is seeing if blocking a cell-signaling pathway called mTOR can slow or shrink tumors in people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317212 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have pancreatic cancer, researchers are working in the lab and in animal models to block parts of the mTOR pathway that help tumor cells survive and grow. They use genetically engineered mice and human pancreatic cancer cell lines, and genetically remove or inhibit the MTORC2 component Rictor to see how established tumors respond. The team will measure protein and gene-expression changes to understand why mTOR signaling supports tumor progression and to identify vulnerabilities for drug targeting. These experiments are preclinical and aim to generate targets and strategies that could lead to future patient treatments or clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), particularly tumors driven by KRAS mutations, would be the expected beneficiaries or future trial candidates.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or whose tumors do not depend on mTOR signaling are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could identify new drug targets or combinations that slow tumor growth or make pancreatic cancers more treatable.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier laboratory studies showed that deleting Rictor slowed tumor development in mouse models, but applying those results to treat established human pancreatic cancers remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Brian C — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Brian C
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.