Cutting off nutrient sharing in pancreatic cancer
Targeting Metabolic Crosstalk in Pancreatic Cancer
This tests whether stopping cancer cells from sharing a nutrient called asparagine and targeting their energy systems can help chemotherapy work better for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319842 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, this project looks at how different cancer cell groups trade a nutrient called asparagine that helps them survive treatment. The team will block asparagine and use drugs that disrupt mitochondrial (cell energy) function in lab-grown cells and animal models, then combine those approaches with standard chemotherapy to see if tumors become more sensitive. Researchers will also study immune cells in the tumor, especially macrophages, to understand whether changing metabolism reduces their protective effects. The goal is to identify combinations that could be moved into patient testing in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors have resisted prior treatments, are the most relevant candidates for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those seeking immediate, direct treatment should not expect personal benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make standard chemotherapy more effective against pancreatic cancer and help overcome drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Metabolic targeting has worked well in some blood cancers, but using asparagine depletion together with mitochondrial inhibitors for pancreatic cancer is novel and still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halbrook, Christopher J. — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Halbrook, Christopher J.
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.