Investigating how MIF-CD74 signaling affects immune responses in pancreatic cancer.

Role of MIF-CD74 signaling as an immune regulator and therapy target in pancreas cancer.

NIH-funded research VA North Texas Health Care System · NIH-11052061

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA North Texas Health Care System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052061 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may benefit from enhanced immune responses to their cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not receive benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Dallas, 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 Cancer Cause
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.