Combination therapy targeting tumor and surrounding stroma in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Combination of tumor targeted therapy with stroma modulating agent for PDAC
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-11355568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to improve treatment for pancreatic cancer by delivering a targeted therapy together with a agent that changes the tumor environment to help drugs work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145556-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355568 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can participate in early translational studies and have access to the study sites.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not respond to BRD4 PROTACs or FAK inhibitors, or who have contraindications to the proposed drugs, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a hard-to-treat cancer, by trying a combined approach that hits both the tumor cells and the surrounding stroma. Researchers plan to use an oral FAK inhibitor to improve how well a BRD4 PROTAC albuminosome can reach and affect cancer cells. The work involves 3D culture platforms and other advanced models to simulate how this combo behaves in the tumor microenvironment. If successful, this strategy could help overcome drug resistance and enhance delivery of anticancer agents to pancreatic tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients with PDAC could experience better drug delivery and potentially more effective tumor control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in similar PDAC strategies show promise but this precise combination is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Ketankumar D. — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Patel, Ketankumar D.
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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.