How low oxygen changes the tissue around pancreatic tumors
Official title: Role of Hypoxia in Shaping the Tumor Stroma in Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11308674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether low oxygen inside pancreatic tumors causes nearby support cells to become inflammatory and push away cancer-killing T cells, with the goal of helping people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $428,689 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269025-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tumor tissue samples or enroll at the study site(s) would be the most relevant participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or those unable to give tissue samples or travel to the research center are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will study human pancreatic tumor samples and laboratory 3-D models to map where oxygen is low and which support cells (like fibroblasts and macrophages) are active. They will focus on low-oxygen sensors called HIF1α and HIF2α and on signaling molecules such as CCL2 that may recruit suppressive immune cells. The team will use tissue models and animal experiments to change these pathways and watch how CD8 T cells behave near tumors. The goal is to find ways to alter the tumor surroundings so immune cells can enter and fight the cancer more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal targets to make pancreatic tumors less immune-suppressive and improve the effectiveness of future treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked hypoxia and HIF signaling to immune suppression, but translating those findings into effective therapies for pancreatic cancer has so far been limited.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Kyoung Eun — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lee, Kyoung Eun
Related research
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This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic cancer might change the behavior of certain cells that help tumors grow, which could help us find new ways to treat the disease.
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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.