Combined nanoparticle chemotherapy and immunotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer
Official title: TGX-1214 - Combination Strategy for the Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11473211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a new nanoparticle-form chemotherapy together with an immune‑boosting antibody to try to shrink tumors in people with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $86,583 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA269233-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The approach is aimed at people with advanced or refractory pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors have not responded to standard chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or with early-stage, resectable pancreatic tumors are unlikely to benefit from this specific program as it is focused on advanced PDA and is currently preclinical.
What this research studies
From my perspective, a team at UC Davis and industry partners is developing TGX-1214, a nanoemulsion form of a next‑generation taxane, to be given with an anti‑PD‑L1 immune drug. In mice, the combo increased CD8 T‑cell tumor infiltration, reduced tumor fibrosis, and produced stronger tumor shrinkage than standard drugs like paclitaxel or gemcitabine. The researchers will run laboratory and animal experiments to study how the two treatments work together and compare them to existing chemotherapies. The goal is to generate the data needed to move this combination toward eventual human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If it works in people, the combination could produce stronger tumor responses and help patients with treatment‑resistant pancreatic cancer live longer or feel better.
How similar studies have gone: Similar chemo plus immune checkpoint combinations have shown promising results in animal models but have so far had limited success in clinical pancreatic cancer trials, so this approach remains largely preclinical.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackenzie, Gerardo Guillermo — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Mackenzie, Gerardo Guillermo
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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.