Fixing abnormal gene switches in pancreatic cancer
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
Researchers are trying to block the abnormal gene activity that helps aggressive pancreatic cancers grow, resist chemotherapy, and spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192366 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at why some pancreatic tumors switch into a more aggressive "basal" state that makes them harder to treat. Scientists map gene-control regions and use high-throughput CRISPR genetic screens in clinically relevant pancreatic cancer models to find the proteins that drive this change. They are focusing on transcription factors like ΔNp63 and ZBED2 and a coactivator called MED12, and will use precise CRISPR base-editing to test how these proteins work. The team aims to expose molecular weaknesses that could be targeted to prevent tumor progression or overcome treatment resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma—especially those whose tumors have basal/adenosquamous features or who have developed chemotherapy resistance—would be most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or with early-stage tumors that lack basal features are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets for drugs to stop or reverse aggressive, treatment-resistant pancreatic tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical studies have shown ΔNp63 and ZBED2 can drive basal identity in PDAC, but converting these insights into effective therapies targeting transcription factors is still early and largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Cold Spring Harbor, United States
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory — Cold Spring Harbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vakoc, Christopher — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Vakoc, Christopher
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.