How early pancreatic lesions evolve
Interrogation of the Impact of Selection on the Evolution of Human Pancreatic Cancer Precursor Lesions
Researchers will analyze tissue and lab-grown organoids from people with pancreatic precancerous cysts to find cell changes that signal higher cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142618 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had an IPMN (a precancerous pancreatic cyst), researchers would take samples from different parts of my lesion and read the DNA and RNA to see which cell groups are changing. They will use new computational methods to combine those DNA and RNA results and identify subclones that look like they are progressing. Scientists will grow three-dimensional organoids from human IPMN cells to watch how these subclones behave over time and use single-cell RNA data to pinpoint expression changes. The goal is to understand what biological forces push some precursor lesions toward cancer so doctors can better predict and prevent progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) or other pancreatic precursor lesions who are undergoing surgery or biopsy that can provide tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cysts or those with already advanced invasive pancreatic cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal markers that predict which pancreatic precursor lesions will become cancer, allowing earlier and more targeted care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous multi-region genomic studies of IPMNs have shown distinct evolutionary patterns, but combining multi-region sequencing with organoid experiments and new multi-omics integration is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, Laura Delong — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wood, Laura Delong
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.