Investigating the role of Engrailed-1 in metastatic pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engrailed-1 and Epigenetic Vulnerabilities in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11032047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called Engrailed-1 (EN1) affects the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this tough disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $354,974 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA249007-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, particularly those with the squamous molecular subtype.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those without the squamous subtype may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how Engrailed-1 (EN1), a transcription factor, influences the progression and spread of pancreatic cancer through epigenetic changes. By examining the expression of EN1 in cancer cells and its association with aggressive cancer characteristics, the study aims to uncover new vulnerabilities in metastatic pancreatic cancer. The researchers will use various advanced techniques to explore the molecular mechanisms by which EN1 affects the cancer epigenome and contributes to disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies targeting the vulnerabilities created by EN1 in metastatic pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of EN1 in pancreatic cancer is being explored, similar approaches targeting epigenetic vulnerabilities in cancer have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Chang-Il — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Chang-Il
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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.