Developing new medicines for pancreatic cancer

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

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11136257

This research is creating new, more effective medicines to fight pancreatic cancer by targeting how cancer cells get their energy.

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-11136257 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Pancreatic cancer can be very challenging to treat, and we are always looking for better options. This project focuses on a vital energy process within cancer cells called oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which they rely on to grow and spread. While some existing medicines like metformin have shown a little promise by targeting this pathway, they are not strong enough or selective enough. Our scientists are working to develop new, powerful drugs that specifically block this energy source in pancreatic cancer cells, aiming for more effective and targeted treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with pancreatic cancer who might benefit from new, targeted therapies could be ideal candidates for future clinical trials stemming from this work.

Not a fit: Patients without pancreatic cancer would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these new medicines could offer a more effective and targeted way to treat pancreatic cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research with a less potent drug, metformin, has shown some increased survival in pancreatic cancer patients, suggesting that targeting this energy pathway can be beneficial.

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.