NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

How low oxygen levels affect fibroblast behavior in pancreatic cancer

Official title: Role of hypoxia in fibroblast reprogramming in pancreatic cancer

Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10992594 · Data updated 2026-11-12

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.

More Pancreatic Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$42,094
NIH project number5F31CA284520-02
Project IDNIH-10992594 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), particularly those with advanced disease.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of low oxygen levels, or hypoxia, in the behavior of fibroblasts within pancreatic cancer. It focuses on understanding how hypoxia influences the formation of inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) and their interactions with pancreatic tumor cells. By using 3D cocultures of these cells, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms by which hypoxia affects tumor progression and resistance to treatment. This could lead to new insights into the tumor microenvironment and potential therapeutic targets.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the tumor microenvironment in various cancers, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ngodup, Tenzin — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
  • Study coordinator: Ngodup, Tenzin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • How low oxygen changes the tissue around pancreatic tumors

    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.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11308674

  • How low oxygen changes KDM8 to make pancreatic cancer more aggressive

    Researchers study whether low oxygen in pancreatic tumors keeps a protein called KDM8 from stopping cancer cells from becoming a more aggressive, treatment-resistant form for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

    NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11250139

  • How low oxygen levels affect the tumor environment in pancreatic cancer

    This study looks at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic cancer affect the behavior of cancer cells and nearby healthy cells, with the hope of finding new ways to improve treatment for patients.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11089567

  • Understanding how low oxygen levels affect pancreatic cancer spread

    This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic tumors affect cancer cells, especially a gene called KDM8, to find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer and help patients feel better.

    NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11005316

  • Targeting cancer growth in pancreatic cancer using a new drug delivery system

    This study is testing a new way to deliver a cancer-fighting drug specifically for people with pancreatic cancer, aiming to make the treatment more effective and less harmful by using a special carrier that releases the medicine right where it's needed in the tumor.

    NIH research Kansas City VA Medical Center · Kansas City, United States · NIH-11003658

  • How low oxygen levels affect immune cells in pancreatic cancer

    This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic cancer affect immune cells that help fight tumors, with the goal of finding better ways to boost immunotherapy treatments for patients.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-10886509

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.