Lunatic Fringe and Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer
Dissecting roles of Lunatic Fringe-dependent Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer
This work looks at whether a protein called Lunatic Fringe controls how pancreatic cancer starts and grows, aiming to help people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321093 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically engineered mouse models that mimic human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to study how Lunatic Fringe (Lfng) and the Notch signaling pathway affect tumor initiation and progression. They compare tumors that begin in different pancreatic cell types (centroacinar, acinar, and ductal) and test the effects of deleting Lfng on tumor development. Laboratory molecular analyses of tissues will identify how Lfng changes cell behavior and cancer pathways. The goal is to learn whether Lfng is a key driver of PDAC and a possible target for future therapies or prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those at high risk for PDAC would be most relevant for future trials or interventions that come from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of pancreatic tumors (such as neuroendocrine tumors) or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to a new target to prevent or slow pancreatic cancer and help guide future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and mouse studies show Notch signaling affects pancreatic cancer development, but targeting Lunatic Fringe specifically is a newer idea with limited prior human testing.
Where this research is happening
Jackson, United States
- University of Mississippi Med Ctr — Jackson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Keli — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Xu, Keli
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.