Creating engineered exosomes to improve pancreatic cancer treatment
Official title: Engineering Exosome for Pancreatic Cancer Targeting Therapies
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-10932982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help treat pancreatic cancer by using tiny particles called exosomes to deliver medicine directly to the cancer cells, which could make treatments work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $487,361 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276732-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing engineered exosomes as a novel delivery system for therapies targeting pancreatic cancer. By modifying the surface of exosomes with specific peptides, the researchers aim to enhance their ability to target cancer cells while minimizing clearance by the immune system. The approach involves using exosomes to deliver drugs and genetic material directly to tumor cells, potentially improving treatment efficacy. Patients may benefit from more effective therapies that can better reach and treat pancreatic cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered exosomes for targeted drug delivery, indicating that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Shi-He — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Liu, Shi-He
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.