FLASH proton radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer that spares the intestines
Official title: Project 1: FLASH vs. Standard radiotherapy for treatment of PDAC and sparing normal intestine tissues
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11298923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton radiotherapy with standard proton therapy to see if it controls pancreatic tumors while reducing damage to the intestines for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $454,951 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA257904-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11298923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal future candidates would be people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are being considered for abdominal radiotherapy and who face risk of intestinal toxicity.
✕Less likely to help
People with cancers outside the abdomen, those not receiving radiation, or patients who cannot access proton therapy would likely not see direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are using mouse models of pancreatic cancer to compare ultra-fast FLASH proton beams with standard-rate proton beams for tumor control and intestinal side effects. They will test different dose rates and delivery parameters in syngeneic flank, orthotopic, and genetically engineered mouse models and measure outcomes such as survival, fibrosis, and acute intestinal injury. The team will analyze molecular and cellular responses, including single-cell RNA sequencing of epithelial and stromal cells, to understand why normal intestinal tissue may be spared. The goal is to define safe dosing and technical parameters that could support future clinical trials in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make proton radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer safer by reducing intestinal side effects while keeping tumor control.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical mouse studies have shown FLASH radiotherapy can match standard tumor control while reducing late intestinal fibrosis, but human clinical data remain very limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koumenis, Constantinos — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Koumenis, Constantinos
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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.