Developing new treatments for pancreatic cancer using pig models
Official title: Porcine Platforms For Technology Development In Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11027550 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to find better treatments for pancreatic cancer using a special pig model that acts like human cancer, so that researchers can see how well new therapies work before they reach patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | December 19, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $635,749 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA295693-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11027550 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer who are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those not eligible for experimental therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a more effective platform for testing new therapies and devices for pancreatic cancer by using a specially designed pig model. The study will focus on the KRAS/p53 Oncopig, which closely mimics human pancreatic cancer biology, allowing researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of novel treatments and imaging technologies. By utilizing this larger animal model, the research seeks to improve the predictability of treatment outcomes compared to traditional mouse models. Patients may benefit from advancements in treatment options that are better tailored to human responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using animal models for cancer treatment has shown promise, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights, although the specific use of porcine models for pancreatic cancer is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollingsworth, Michael a. — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hollingsworth, Michael a.
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.