Finding new treatments for bile duct cancer
Official title: Identifying therapeutic options for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11053521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at bile duct cancer to find specific markers in the genes and proteins that could help create better treatments for patients, making it easier to fight this tough disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $323,497 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA258449-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those without a diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a type of bile duct cancer with a very low survival rate. The team is investigating the genetic and molecular characteristics of ICC to identify specific biomarkers that can help tailor treatments for patients. By studying how certain proteins and genes interact in cancer cells, they aim to develop targeted therapies that could improve patient outcomes. The research involves analyzing patient samples and using advanced genetic techniques to understand the disease better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, personalized treatment options for patients with bile duct cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in identifying targeted therapies for various cancers, suggesting that this approach could also be effective for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Sungjin — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ko, Sungjin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new mouse model to study intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and its immunotherapy
A new mouse model helps researchers understand intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and test immune-based treatments to improve outcomes.
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Radiation plus a patient’s own immune cells to boost cholangiocarcinoma treatment
This project tests a therapy that combines precise radiation and the patient’s own dendritic cells with immune drugs to help fight intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in people who cannot have surgery.
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New mouse model to improve immune therapy for intrahepatic bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) cancer
This project builds a new mouse model to help make immune-based treatments work better for people with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct liver cancer.
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Understanding how tumor variety affects bile duct cancer (iCCA)
Researchers will study how differences within a single tumor and between primary and metastatic sites influence disease progression and treatment response in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, using human samples and mouse models.
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Using radiation and your own immune cells to boost immunotherapy for intrahepatic bile-duct (liver) cancer
This approach combines focused liver radiation, injections of your own dendritic immune cells, and two immune drugs to try to help people with unresectable intrahepatic bile-duct cancer live longer without the disease getting worse.
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Noninvasive methods to identify mutations in liver cancer
This study is looking for better ways to diagnose a type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) by using noninvasive methods to check for important genetic changes, which can help doctors choose the best treatment for patients.
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.