How MICAL2 helps pancreatic cancer cells move and spread
Full Project 1: Defining Mechanisms of MICAL-dependent Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration
This project looks at whether changes in a protein called MICAL2 help pancreatic cancer cells move and spread, to help people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at UC San Diego are studying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to understand how cancer cells migrate and form metastases. They compare tumor tissue and normal pancreas samples and use lab models, including 3-D systems, to study how the MICAL2 protein remodels the cell’s actin machinery. The team will connect these cell-level changes to gene activity that drives movement and responses to mechanical signals. Their aim is to reveal weak points in the pathways that let pancreatic cancer spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those able to donate tumor or normal pancreatic tissue would be most relevant for this work.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to stop or slow the spread of pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked MICAL family proteins to actin remodeling and cell movement, but targeting MICAL2 specifically in pancreatic cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowy, Andrew M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Lowy, Andrew M
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.