Different molecular types of pancreatic cancer may explain worse outcomes in Black patients
Official title: Research Project 1 PDAC Molecular Subtypes Contribute to Cancer Health Disparities
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11128352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether distinct molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer, especially in Black patients, help explain higher rates and shorter survival.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $179,308 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA283762-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tumor tissue, with emphasis on enrolling Black patients and other underrepresented racial groups.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or those unable or unwilling to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers are analyzing tumor samples from people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to map protein patterns that define four subtypes: Metabolic, Progenitor-like, Proliferative, and Inflammatory. They will compare proteomic profiles across racial groups, including Black, White, and Latino/Hispanic patients, to see if subtype patterns differ and relate to treatment response. The team uses quantitative mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis to identify subtype-specific protein signatures. Results may point to new targets or approaches for matching treatments to a patient’s tumor subtype.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to subtype-targeted therapies and help reduce racial disparities in pancreatic cancer outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Molecular subtyping has guided therapy advances in cancers like breast and prostate, but applying proteomic subtypes to racial disparities in pancreatic cancer is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woods, Nicholas Taylor — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Woods, Nicholas Taylor
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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.