How low oxygen makes pancreatic cancer cells more aggressive
Official title: Investigating hypoxia as a determinant of malignant fates in pancreas cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11294358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether low oxygen areas inside pancreatic tumors cause cancer cells to become more aggressive and resist chemotherapy, aiming to help people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $695,124 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA290400-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic cancer, especially those who can provide tumor tissue or blood samples during surgery or biopsy, would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or those seeking immediate new treatment options should not expect direct or immediate benefit from this lab-focused project.
What this research studies
At Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, researchers will study how low oxygen (hypoxia) in pancreatic tumors changes cancer cells. They will analyze tumor tissue and lab-grown cancer cells, use genetic tools like CRISPR to turn genes on or off, and test how these changes affect growth and response to standard chemotherapy. The team will also use animal models and molecular profiling to identify metabolic changes that help cells survive in low-oxygen regions. Results are intended to point toward new targets or strategies to make existing treatments work better for people with pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to overcome chemotherapy resistance and lead to treatments that work better for pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown hypoxia can drive therapy resistance in several cancers, but applying genetic and metabolic profiling to find druggable targets in pancreatic cancer is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
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Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tammela, Tuomas — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Tammela, Tuomas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how low oxygen levels affect pancreatic cancer behavior
This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic tumors might make some cancer cells tougher and resistant to treatment, with the goal of finding better ways to help patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Understanding how low oxygen levels affect pancreatic cancer cells
This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic cancer tumors change how cancer cells act and use energy, which could help us understand why the cancer becomes more aggressive and how we might find better treatments for it.
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Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
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HIF-driven ways to repair damaged lungs in IPF
A doctor-researcher is testing how low-oxygen signals (HIF) could help restore healthy lung tissue in people with IPF.
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Neonatal Brain Injury Protection with New Purine Compounds
A new medication approach using purine derivatives is being studied to protect newborn brains from injury caused by limited blood flow and oxygen during birth.
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Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) helps brain BH4 levels after injury
This grant tests whether brain AKR enzymes can boost BH4 levels and support better brain function after hypoxia-ischemia-related injury.
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.