How three related proteins (MerTK, Tyro3, Axl) influence pancreatic cancer growth and spread
Divergent Roles of MerTK,Tyro3, and Axl in Pancreatic Cancer and Metastasis
This project looks at whether targeting three related proteins can change how pancreatic cancer and its surrounding cells respond to treatment for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone affected by pancreatic cancer, this work studies three related proteins (MerTK, Tyro3, Axl) that appear to shape the tumor environment and help cancers grow and spread. Researchers use lab experiments and animal models to remove or block each protein and watch how immune cells and fibroblasts in the tumor change. They compare tumor growth, metastatic spread, and responses to immunotherapy when each protein is altered, and connect those findings to early human trials of drugs that block these proteins. The goal is to learn which protein targets might improve treatment responses or make immunotherapy work better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with advanced or metastatic disease or who are eligible for trials of TAM (MerTK/Tyro3/Axl) inhibitors, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or whose tumors do not rely on these TAM proteins would not expect direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to better ways to target these proteins so treatments (including immunotherapy) work more effectively and reduce metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical trials of drugs that block TAM family proteins are beginning but results are limited, and detailed mechanistic work like this is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Earp, H. Shelton — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Earp, H. Shelton
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.