How calcium signals between cell parts affect pancreatic cancer
Endoplasmic Reticulum-to-Mitochondria Calcium Transfer in Pancreatic Cancer Development, Metastasis, and Treatment
Researchers are looking at whether stopping calcium flow from the cell's endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria can slow or stop pancreatic cancer growth and spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory-grown pancreatic cancer cells and specially bred mice that develop pancreatic cancer to study how calcium moving between two cell structures helps tumors grow and spread. The team will genetically turn off a key mitochondrial calcium channel (MCU) in a well-established mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma to see how that change affects tumor development, metastasis, and tumor maintenance. Because there are currently no selective drugs for these channels, the researchers rely on genetic models and cell experiments to test whether blocking this pathway weakens cancer cells. The goal is to find whether this cellular calcium pathway could be a new target for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those with advanced or metastatic disease who are interested in new treatment approaches, would be the most likely to benefit from this line of research in the future.
Not a fit: Patients with non-adenocarcinoma pancreatic conditions, other cancer types, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from these preclinical experiments now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new biological target that leads to better therapies for people with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that calcium transfer between the ER and mitochondria affects cancer cell energy and survival, but translating this into treatments is largely untested and remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foskett, James Kevin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Foskett, James Kevin
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.