Developing new drugs to target energy production in pancreatic cancer cells

Preclinical Development of First-in-Class NDUFS7 Antagonists for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10898760

This study is looking at new medications that can help fight pancreatic cancer by blocking a process that cancer cells use for energy, with the hope that these drugs will work well with current treatments to improve outcomes for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10898760 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing first-in-class antagonists that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), a critical process for the survival and growth of pancreatic cancer cells. By understanding how these cancer cells rely on OXPHOS for energy, the researchers aim to create more effective treatments that can work alongside existing therapies like gemcitabine. The approach involves designing potent and selective OXPHOS inhibitors that can be taken orally, potentially improving patient outcomes. The study will explore the effectiveness of these new drugs in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, particularly those whose tumors show high dependence on oxidative phosphorylation.

Not a fit: Patients with pancreatic cancer who do not have a significant reliance on oxidative phosphorylation may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: Previous research has shown that targeting oxidative phosphorylation can improve survival in pancreatic cancer patients, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer cell line
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.