How fibroblasts shape the immune response in pancreatic cancer
Fibroblast orchestration of the immune response in pancreatic cancer
This project looks at how connective-tissue cells called fibroblasts change immune activity around pancreatic tumors to help people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166350 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will use tumor tissue from people with pancreatic cancer to study the genes and signals active in fibroblasts. They will compare samples from different patients, including a diverse group with a substantial number of African American patients, to see how fibroblasts differ across tumors. In the lab they will model how tumor mutations such as oncogenic KRAS reprogram fibroblast behavior and how those changes influence immune cells. The goal is to link what is seen in patient samples with lab experiments to identify fibroblast-driven signals that could be targeted in future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic cancer who are being treated at or can provide tissue samples to University of Michigan or Henry Ford Health System sites.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those unwilling/unable to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets in the tumor microenvironment that improve treatment responses for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown fibroblasts can both help and hinder pancreatic tumors, so this project builds on mixed but promising findings rather than on an established cure.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pasca Di Magliano, Marina — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Pasca Di Magliano, Marina
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.