Exosome-based delivery to target pancreatic cancer cells
Official title: Engineering Exosome for Pancreatic Cancer Targeting Therapies
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11394429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a project that aims to use tiny natural vesicles to carry cancer-fighting therapies directly to pancreatic tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $496,344 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276732-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with pancreatic cancer who may benefit from targeted delivery therapies or who might participate in early-stage translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients would not benefit from this early, preclinical work if the therapy cannot reach tumors or prove safety in humans.
What this research studies
This project explores engineering natural particles called exosomes to home in on pancreatic cancer cells and deliver treatment more precisely. Scientists will modify exosomes to display tumor-targeting signals and to avoid being cleared by the liver and spleen, aiming for longer circulation and stronger tumor binding. The study envisions testing how well these engineered exosomes reach pancreatic tumor cells and how safely they behave in the body. If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and less toxic therapies for pancreatic cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with pancreatic cancer could benefit from smarter, more precise treatments with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Similar exosome-based delivery strategies have shown promise in preclinical models, but human effectiveness remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Shi-He — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Liu, Shi-He
Related research
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Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
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Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
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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.