How ME2 loss helps pancreatic cancer grow
Molecular Basis of ME2-mediated Tumor Suppression in Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers want to see if losing the protein ME2 makes pancreatic tumors grow and spread, and to find drug targets that could help people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135391 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project compares pancreatic tumors that have lost the ME2 protein with tumors that still have ME2. Scientists will use lab-grown cells, 3-D organoids, mouse models with implanted tumors, and patient-derived tumor grafts to observe how ME2 loss changes tumor behavior. They will run large-scale screens to find signaling pathways altered by ME2 loss and then test drugs that block those pathways in these models. The aim is to identify molecular targets that could lead to personalized treatment combinations for patients whose tumors lack ME2.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma—especially those whose tumors show ME2 deletion or related genetic changes such as SMAD4 loss—would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have ME2 loss are less likely to benefit directly from therapies developed from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted drug combinations for pancreatic cancer patients whose tumors have ME2 loss, potentially improving outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting altered signaling pathways has worked in other cancers, but applying this approach to ME2-loss in pancreatic cancer is a newer, mostly preclinical effort.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Pankaj Kumar — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Singh, Pankaj Kumar
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.