FAP-targeted radioactive therapy that gets trapped inside pancreatic tumors
Lysosome Trapped FAP-Targeted Theranostics for Pancreatic Cancer
A radioactive medicine aimed at fibroblast-rich pancreatic tumors that stays inside cancer tissue to deliver stronger, more focused radiation for people with pancreatic cancer.
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 ID | NIH-11286819 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing radioactive drugs that home to a protein called fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is common in many pancreatic tumors. They are adding a lysosome-trapping chemical trick so the drug forms a bond inside tumor cells and remains in the tumor longer, using radioactive isotopes 177Lu and 225Ac to deliver radiation. The team will optimize how these compounds behave in tumors and normal tissues, study how pancreatic cancer biology affects trapping, and measure biodistribution and tumor retention. Although much of the work is preclinical, the aim is to create treatments that could later move into patient trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors show high fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression or who have metastatic disease not controlled by standard therapies.
Not a fit: Patients without FAP-expressing tumors, with other cancer types, or who cannot receive radionuclide therapy would likely not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could deliver higher doses of targeted radiation to pancreatic tumors while sparing normal tissues, potentially improving tumor control and reducing side effects.
How similar studies have performed: FAP-targeted imaging agents have successfully located tumors, but FAP-directed therapeutic radioligands have historically suffered from poor tumor retention, and the lysosomal trapping approach is a newer preclinical strategy with encouraging but unproven results.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garrison, Jered C — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Garrison, Jered C
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 below.