Investigating how MIF-CD74 signaling affects immune responses in pancreatic cancer.
Official title: Role of MIF-CD74 signaling as an immune regulator and therapy target in pancreas cancer.
Funded at VA North Texas Health Care System · NIH-11052061 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in pancreatic cancer might be holding back the body's ability to fight the disease, and it hopes to find new ways to boost the immune response to help patients with this tough cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA North Texas Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01BX006978-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052061 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may benefit from enhanced immune responses to their cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), a highly lethal cancer with few treatment options. It aims to understand how the immune system is suppressed within the tumor microenvironment, particularly by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which can either promote or inhibit anti-tumor responses. The study will explore the role of the MIF-CD74 signaling pathway in regulating TAM activation and its potential as a target for immunotherapy, with the goal of enhancing T-cell responses against cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new immunotherapy strategies that improve treatment outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting MIF-CD74 signaling in PDA is novel, similar strategies targeting immune modulation in cancer have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
VA North Texas Health Care System
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maddipati, Ravikanth — VA North Texas Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Maddipati, Ravikanth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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SPORE in Pancreas Cancer at MSK: advancing personalized therapy for pancreatic cancer
A large, multi-year program at Memorial Sloan Kettering aims to tailor pancreatic cancer treatment to each patient’s biology to improve survival and outcomes.
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How nerves influence pancreatic cancer progression and immune response
This NIH grant tests whether nerves and nerve signals affect pancreatic cancer growth and the body’s immune response, with findings that could lead to new therapies for people with pancreatic cancer.
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Overcoming barriers in pancreatic cancer therapy
A cancer research project that explores how pancreatic tumors resist treatment and how to improve therapies by studying tumor cells and their surrounding environment in animal models.
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How low oxygen makes pancreatic cancer cells more aggressive
This project looks at whether low oxygen areas inside pancreatic tumors cause cancer cells to become more aggressive and resist chemotherapy, aiming to help people with pancreatic cancer.
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How different dietary fats affect pancreatic cancer start and growth
This project looks at whether specific kinds of high-fat diets speed up or slow the start and growth of pancreatic cancer to help people at risk understand dietary effects.
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Immune signals that make pancreatic cancer more stem‑like and aggressive
Looking at whether an immune signal called IL‑22, working through its receptor IL‑22RA1 and STAT3, makes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells more stem‑like and aggressive to guide future treatments for people with PDAC.
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.