How stromal IL-6/STAT3 signaling affects pancreatic cancer and cancer-related weight loss
Official title: Project 3 – Stromal derived IL-6/STAT3 signaling in the development and progression of PDAC
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11144581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether a cell-signaling pathway called IL-6/STAT3 in the tumor's supportive stromal cells drives pancreatic cancer growth and the severe muscle and fat wasting many patients experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $422,885 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA236778-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those experiencing unintentional weight loss or cachexia, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or those with other unrelated conditions would not directly benefit from this project, and patients needing immediate standard-of-care treatment may not gain immediate benefit from the experimental findings.
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, this project focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the heavy stromal tissue that surrounds these tumors. Researchers will examine how IL-6/STAT3 signaling in stromal (support) cells communicates with the tumor and with peripheral tissues like muscle and fat. The team will use laboratory models, tissue samples, and likely patient-derived material to trace those signals and their effects on tumor progression and cachexia. The goal is to identify whether blocking or modifying that signaling could reduce tumor aggressiveness or prevent the severe weight loss and weakness some patients suffer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new treatments that slow pancreatic tumor progression and reduce cancer-related muscle and fat loss, improving strength and tolerance for therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies targeting IL-6/STAT3 and tumor stroma have shown promise in models, while clinical results so far have been limited or mixed and remain exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ostrowski, Michael C. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Ostrowski, Michael C.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
Neoantigen vaccines in pancreatic cancer: overcoming resistance to improve immune responses
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Targeting autophagy to treat KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer
This grant explores using approved drugs to block autophagy in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer to improve treatment outcomes.
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Reprogramming PDAC stroma by targeting blood clotting in the tumor environment
A cancer research grant aimed at turning the tough, fibrous pancreatic cancer environment into one that helps treatments work better and supports the body’s immune response.
-
Understanding paracrine signals in pancreatic cancer to improve drug delivery
A patient-focused look at how the tumor’s signaling networks affect treatment delivery in pancreatic cancer and how targeting these networks could help therapies reach tumors more effectively.
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.