Developing a new immunotherapy using engineered T cells for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engineering CD4+ T cells to develop a novel immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10998579 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with pancreatic cancer by using specially modified immune cells that can better target and fight the cancer, with the hope of improving treatment options and outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31CA294972-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998579 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment options for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a type of cancer with very limited survival rates. The approach involves engineering CD4+ T cells to express a specific receptor that targets mesothelin, a protein found on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells. By enhancing these T cells with an enzyme that can alter the tumor environment, the researchers aim to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients with PDAC. The study will assess how these engineered T cells can remodel the tumor microenvironment and boost the immune response against the cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered T cells for other cancers, but this specific approach for pancreatic cancer is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geitgey, Delaney Kate — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Geitgey, Delaney Kate
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how T cell receptors affect pancreatic cancer immunotherapy
A cancer research grant is exploring how specific T cells recognize pancreatic cancer and how that recognition might predict or improve responses to immunotherapy.
-
Novel virus therapy to help pancreatic cancer patients fight their disease
A new oncolytic virus designed to target pancreatic cancer is being developed to help patients by boosting immune response and overcoming treatment resistance.
-
Recombinant IL-33 Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
A new immunotherapy approach using recombinant IL-33 aims to help people with pancreatic cancer by activating immune cells inside tumors to fight the cancer.
-
Blocking VIP signaling to help the immune system fight pancreatic cancer
This grant tests a new approach aimed at helping the immune system attack pancreatic cancer by blocking a signaling pathway that's dampening immune responses in tumors.
-
Engineering smart nanoparticles to help the immune system fight pancreatic cancer
Aims to use tiny, specially designed particles to deliver cancer-fighting drugs and immune-boosting signals to pancreatic tumors to help the body attack the cancer.
-
TROP2-targeting CAR-NK therapy for pancreatic cancer
This project develops an off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy engineered to target the TROP2 protein on pancreatic cancer cells.
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.