Investigating new treatments for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Research Project Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10912704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how radiation therapy might help boost the immune system's ability to fight pancreatic cancer by activating special immune cells, and it aims to find better treatment options for patients with this challenging disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $258,389 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274318-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), a type of pancreatic cancer with a poor prognosis. It explores how radiation therapy (RT) can enhance the immune response against tumors by activating specific immune cells called dendritic cells (cDCs). The study will analyze human tissue samples and mouse models to understand how RT influences immune responses and to identify potential ways to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in PDAC patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates and patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using radiation therapy to enhance immune responses in other cancer types, suggesting potential for success in this approach for pancreatic cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denardo, David G — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Denardo, David G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.