CD11b-activating drug to make pancreatic cancer respond to immunotherapy
Official title: Project 1: Employing CD11b-Agonists to Render PDAC Responsive to Immunotherapy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11419672 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if a CD11b-activating drug (GB1275) can help pancreatic cancer patients respond better to immunotherapy when combined with standard chemotherapy and PD-1 blockers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $301,041 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA272213-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419672 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are eligible for Gemcitabine, Abraxane, and PD-1 blockade and able to participate in biomarker analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not react to CD11b-agonism or who cannot tolerate the combination therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
Pancreatic cancer often overlooks checkpoint immunotherapy due to immunosuppressive immune cells in the tumor. This project tests whether turning these myeloid cells from suppressive to supportive can enhance the effect of PD-1 blockade with chemotherapy in metastatic PDAC patients. The team will assess safety and how well GB1275 works when added to Gemcitabine, Abraxane, and PD-1 therapy, while also studying biomarkers of exposure and response. They will also explore how tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the treatment’s impact. If successful, this approach could reprogram the tumor microenvironment to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic PDAC might experience improved responses to immunotherapy and longer survival through a reprogrammed tumor microenvironment.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show CD11b-agonism can reprogram tumor-associated myeloid cells and enhance immunotherapy, with promising preclinical tumor regression and survival signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denardo, David G — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Denardo, David G
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Using CD11b-Agonists to Make Pancreatic Cancer Treatable with Immunotherapy
This study is exploring a new way to boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer by using a special drug called GB1275 to help your immune cells work better, and it’s for patients who are looking for improved treatment options.
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.