Immune profiling for pancreatic cancer–related weight and muscle loss
Core C – Immunophenotyping Core
Researchers will analyze immune cells from tumors, muscle, fat, and blood to better understand why people with pancreatic cancer lose weight and muscle.
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 ID | NIH-11144588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have pancreatic cancer and donate tumor, blood, muscle, or fat samples, this core will use high-resolution imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing to map immune cells across those tissues. The team will use multiplex immunofluorescence and multispectral imaging to visualize many immune markers at once and apply deep-learning tools to count and locate different immune cells. Mouse models will be used alongside patient samples to study how the NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling system links tumor activity to muscle and fat wasting. The goal is to reveal immune cell pathways that drive cachexia so future therapies can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tumor tissue, muscle or adipose samples, or blood and who may be experiencing weight or muscle loss.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer, those who cannot or will not provide tissue or blood samples, or those whose symptoms are unrelated to cachexia are unlikely to benefit directly from this core's work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could identify immune-driven targets to prevent or reverse the severe weight and muscle loss that shortens survival and quality of life in pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell sequencing and multiplex imaging have improved understanding of tumor immunity and guided immunotherapy, but applying these methods specifically to cancer cachexia is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouyang, Jian — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Ouyang, Jian
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.