Blocking the PSGL-1/VISTA immune pathway to treat pancreatic cancer
Immune Checkpoint Blockade Targeting the Novel PSGL-1/VISTA Axis for Pancreatic Cancer
A new immunotherapy that blocks the PSGL-1/VISTA pathway to help the immune system attack pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300256 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are developing a drug approach that blocks a checkpoint called PSGL-1 and its partner VISTA to try to turn 'cold' pancreatic tumors into ones the immune system can fight. They will use laboratory and animal models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to test whether blocking this pathway increases T cell activity and shrinks tumors. The team will compare tumors with high versus low T cell infiltration and profile cellular and gene-expression changes to see how the tumor environment shifts. They will also test whether PSGL-1/VISTA blockade can overcome resistance to current PD-1 or CTLA-4 immune therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors are resistant to current PD-1 or CTLA-4 checkpoint therapies, would be the eventual candidates for related clinical testing.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers other than PDAC or whose tumors do not rely on the PSGL-1/VISTA pathway are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make pancreatic tumors more responsive to immunotherapy and improve outcomes for people with PDAC.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking PSGL-1/VISTA is a relatively new idea with encouraging preclinical signals in immune research, but it has not yet been tested clinically in pancreatic cancer.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bradley, Linda Mac Pherson — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Bradley, Linda Mac Pherson
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.