How radiation and immune cells affect pancreatic cancer
Research Project Pancreatic Cancer
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11168914
This project looks at how standard radiation and immune cells called dendritic cells interact in people with pancreatic cancer to help guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168914 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
I would be asked to provide tumor tissue and blood samples before, during, and after standard radiation treatment while researchers study immune cells. Scientists will use detailed single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial protein mapping, and metabolomic tests on human samples and complementary mouse models. The team is focusing on dendritic cells and how they help prime T cells to fight tumors, and they will compare local tumor changes with broader immune responses in the body. Findings will be used to design new ways to combine radiation with immunotherapy that might work better for pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are receiving radiation as part of their care and are willing to provide tumor and blood samples.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer, those not getting radiation, or anyone hoping for an immediate new therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to make radiation trigger stronger anti-tumor immunity and improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Radiation plus immunotherapy has helped in some other cancers, but in pancreatic cancer those combinations have mostly failed, so this dendritic-cell–focused approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DENARDO, DAVID G — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: DENARDO, DAVID G
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.
Conditions: Cancers