Improving treatment responses in pancreatic cancer using TNF signaling

Harnessing TNFa Signaling To Improve Therapeutic Response In Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11140294

This study is looking at how a specific signaling process in the body can be used to make treatments for pancreatic cancer work better, by exploring how cancer cells interact with nearby cells, with the hope of finding new ways to help patients who are facing this tough disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140294 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) signaling can be harnessed to enhance the effectiveness of therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study employs a 3-dimensional co-culture system to explore the interactions between cancer cells and surrounding fibroblasts, aiming to identify new therapeutic combinations that can overcome resistance mechanisms. By targeting specific pathways involved in cell survival and death, the research seeks to improve treatment outcomes for patients with this aggressive cancer. The ultimate goal is to develop novel therapies that can be tested in clinical trials for PDAC patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have not responded well to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those who have already exhausted all treatment options may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in targeting TNF signaling pathways in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach may be viable.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, 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.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseasesautoimmune disorderautoimmunity disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.