Investigating new treatments for pancreatic cancer

Research Project Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10912704

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10912704 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are seeking new treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

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 Cancers
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.