Comparing fast and standard proton radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer treatment
Official title: Project 1: FLASH vs. Standard radiotherapy for treatment of PDAC and sparing normal intestine tissues
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11030327 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new, super-fast type of radiation therapy called FLASH-PRT to see if it can better control pancreatic tumors while being kinder to healthy tissues, and it's designed for people with pancreatic cancer who want to explore new treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $415,788 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA257904-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030327 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who are considering proton radiotherapy as a treatment option.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pancreatic cancer who are not eligible for proton radiotherapy or those with very early-stage disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a new type of proton radiotherapy called FLASH-PRT, which delivers radiation at ultra-fast dose rates, compared to the standard proton radiotherapy. The goal is to determine if FLASH-PRT can control pancreatic tumor growth while minimizing damage to normal intestinal tissues. The study will analyze the biological and genetic responses of cancer cells and normal cells to both treatment types, using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing. If successful, this research could pave the way for clinical trials that may improve treatment outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with FLASH-PRT in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koumenis, Constantinos — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Koumenis, Constantinos
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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FLASH proton radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer that spares the intestines
This project compares ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton radiotherapy with standard proton therapy to see if it controls pancreatic tumors while reducing damage to the intestines for people with pancreatic cancer.
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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.