Comparing fast and standard proton radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer treatment
Project 1: FLASH vs. Standard radiotherapy for treatment of PDAC and sparing normal intestine tissues
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 ID | NIH-11030327 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who are considering proton radiotherapy as a treatment option.
Not a fit: Patients with pancreatic cancer who are not eligible for proton radiotherapy or those with very early-stage disease may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with FLASH-PRT in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koumenis, Constantinos — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Koumenis, Constantinos
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.