Investigating pancreatic cancer using patient-derived tumor models
Official title: Pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft tumors for translational studies in precision cancer medicine
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11132057 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a type of pancreatic cancer called PDAC to find better ways to treat it, especially the Classical subtype, by using special models that mimic real tumors from patients, so we can learn how these tumors respond to different treatments and hopefully improve care for people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 8, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $654,197 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA293063-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132057 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with the Classical subtype.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of pancreatic cancer or those who do not have a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by utilizing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models to better understand the disease's subtypes and treatment responses. The study aims to develop experimental tools that accurately represent the clinical spectrum of PDAC, particularly the Classical subtype, which is often underrepresented in traditional cell lines. By analyzing how these tumors respond to standard and investigational therapies, the research seeks to identify molecular subtypes that could lead to more effective treatment strategies for patients. Advanced techniques such as spatial transcriptomic profiling and analysis of extracellular vesicles will be employed to gain deeper insights into tumor behavior and treatment efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using patient-derived xenograft models to study cancer treatment responses, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liss, Andrew — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Liss, Andrew
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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.