Interleukin‑33 immune therapy for pancreatic cancer
Recombinant Interleukin-33 Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
This work tests a new immune‑boosting therapy using interleukin‑33 to help people with pancreatic cancer whose tumors lack T cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169825 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found that some long‑term pancreatic cancer survivors have higher levels of a tissue immune cell (ILC2) and the cytokine IL‑33, which are linked to better T‑cell activity. In lab models, giving recombinant IL‑33 activated these ILC2 cells, drew in other immune cells, and greatly increased tumor‑killing CD8 T cells, slowing tumor growth. Combining IL‑33 with PD‑1 checkpoint blockade worked best in mouse models and improved survival. The project aims to build on these findings to move the approach toward treatments that could be tried in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), especially those whose tumors have few T cells or who have not benefited from current immunotherapies, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer, those whose tumors already respond to existing therapies, or patients with medical conditions that make immune stimulation unsafe may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make previously unresponsive ('cold') pancreatic tumors respond to immunotherapy and potentially improve survival.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs have produced strong results in some cancers but not in pancreatic cancer, and using IL‑33 to stimulate ILC2 is a novel approach with promising animal results but limited data in people so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balachandran, Vinod P — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Balachandran, Vinod P
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.