How fats inside pancreatic cancer cells help them spread
Lipid storage and catabolism as drivers of metastatic invasion
Researchers are testing whether fats stored inside pancreatic tumors fuel cancer spread and could point to ways to stop metastasis for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191490 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how pancreatic cancer cells store fat in tiny droplets and later break those fats down to power cell movement and spread. Scientists will use lab-grown tumor cells, biochemical tests, and animal models to watch fat storage, measure enzymes that break down fats, and track how changes affect cell migration. The team is focusing on a common cancer gene, KRAS, which appears to turn down a fat‑breaking enzyme called hormone sensitive lipase and so promotes fat buildup. They will also test whether blocking fat breakdown or fatty acid burning reduces the ability of tumor cells to invade other tissues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma—especially tumors driven by KRAS—or those interested in future trials targeting tumor fat metabolism could be candidates for follow-up research.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not rely on lipid storage or fatty acid metabolism, or who have non‑pancreatic cancers, are less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new drug targets to prevent pancreatic cancer from spreading and improve survival.
How similar studies have performed: Related research has linked lipid breakdown and fatty acid oxidation to cancer cell movement, but translating this into therapies for metastasis is still early and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Razidlo, Gina Lynn — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Razidlo, Gina Lynn
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.