How bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) develops
Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Cholangiocarcinoma Development
This project looks at whether changes in chronic bile-duct disease and activity of liver receptors called FXR and CAR drive bile duct cancer, aiming to help people with conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis.
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 ID | NIH-11312650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research will examine tissue and blood from people with chronic cholestatic liver diseases and use laboratory models to track the earliest molecular changes that lead to cholangiocarcinoma. Scientists will apply advanced profiling methods, including CITE-sequencing and bioinformatics, to map tumor cells and the surrounding immune environment. They will manipulate FXR and CAR receptor activity in cells and models to see how those changes influence malignant transformation. The aim is to identify biomarkers for earlier detection and potential intervention points to prevent progression to bile duct cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with chronic cholestatic conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis or other biliary stasis/obstruction who might provide samples or join observational efforts.
Not a fit: Patients without cholestatic liver disease or those seeking immediate therapeutic interventions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this basic/translational project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could yield biomarkers for earlier detection and suggest new prevention or treatment strategies for people at high risk of bile duct cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Receptor-focused molecular studies in cholangiocarcinoma are relatively new; some preclinical work suggests roles for FXR and CAR but translation to early detection or prevention is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Sungjin — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ko, Sungjin
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.