Light-activated therapy to boost immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Project 2: Intratumoral PDT Induces PDP-based Enhancement of PD-1 Inhibition in Pancreatic Carcinoma
['FUNDING_P01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11195098
This approach uses a light-activated drug placed into pancreatic tumors to trigger an immune response so immunotherapy medicines may work better for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11195098 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would receive an intravenous photosensitizer (verteporfin) and then a thin optical fiber would be guided into the pancreatic tumor using endoscopic ultrasound or CT so red light can activate the drug in the tumor. That activation, called photodynamic priming (PDP), is intended to draw immune cells into the tumor and help teach T cells to attack cancer cells. After PDP, participants receive an immune checkpoint drug (pembrolizumab) to further promote an anti-tumor immune response. The team will monitor blood and tumor markers and scan for tumor shrinkage and responses in distant metastases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors can safely be reached by an endoscopic or CT-guided needle and who are eligible for immune checkpoint therapy are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People whose tumors cannot be accessed safely for fiber-delivered light, who are not eligible for immunotherapy, or who have serious medical conditions that prevent the procedures may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow immune checkpoint drugs to work for many more people with pancreatic cancer and possibly shrink both primary tumors and metastases.
How similar studies have performed: Early, limited clinical observations and laboratory data suggest PDP can boost tumor-directed T cells and there are anecdotal instances of distant tumor regression, but broad effectiveness remains unproven and is being tested in this Phase II effort.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHANDRASEKHARA, VINAY — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: CHANDRASEKHARA, VINAY
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 below.
Conditions: Basal Cell Cancer