Improving treatment for advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancers using light and repurposed antibiotics

Addressing Chemoresistance in Pancreatic and Ovarian Cancers: Photodynamic Priming and Repurposing of Tetracyclines using Targeted Photo-Activable Multi-Inhibitor Liposome

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · NIH-11047557

This study is looking for ways to make chemotherapy work better for people with advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancers by using light to help the medicine get into the cancer cells and repurposing certain antibiotics to stop the cancer cells from repairing themselves.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK (nih funded)
Locations1 site (COLLEGE PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11047557 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on overcoming the resistance that advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancers have to chemotherapy. It employs a two-part approach: first, using photodynamic priming to damage proteins that pump chemotherapy drugs out of cancer cells, thereby enhancing drug delivery; second, repurposing tetracycline antibiotics to inhibit a DNA repair enzyme that allows cancer cells to survive treatment. By combining these innovative strategies, the research aims to improve the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy options for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or ovarian cancer who have shown resistance to standard chemotherapy treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers or those who do not have pancreatic or ovarian cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancers, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using combination therapies to overcome chemoresistance, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

COLLEGE PARK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: advanced pancreatic cancer

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.