Immune neighborhoods that help fight pancreatic cancer
ROLES AND MECHANISMS OF TERTIARY LYMPHOID STRUCTURES IN ANTI-TUMOR IMMUNITY
Seeing whether clusters of immune cells called tertiary lymphoid structures inside pancreatic tumors help patients' T cells keep fighting cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239121 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying tiny immune 'neighborhoods' called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) that form in some pancreatic tumors and are linked with better survival. They will examine tissue from people who had pancreatic tumor surgery and use mouse models to compare how TLS affect special stem-like T cells that sustain anti-tumor immunity. The team will look at signals such as interleukin-21 that may let TLS nurture these T cells and will manipulate TLS in mice to test effects on tumor control and response to immunotherapy. If you have pancreatic cancer and donate tumor tissue or participate through a tumor bank, your sample could directly inform this work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those undergoing surgical tumor removal or willing to contribute tumor tissue, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or whose tumors do not form TLS are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to ways to boost patients' immune responses against pancreatic cancer by promoting or mimicking these TLS structures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show TLS presence in several tumor types is associated with stronger immune responses and better survival, but direct proof TLS actively improve T cell function in pancreatic cancer is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gunderson, Andrew — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Gunderson, Andrew
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.