Making a PRMT5-targeting drug more powerful for pancreatic cancer using nanocrystal delivery
Improving the potency of novel PRMT5 inhibitor with nanocrystal technology to treat pancreatic cancer
This project will strengthen a new drug that blocks PRMT5 and improve how the body uses it with nanocrystals for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will reformulate a promising PRMT5 inhibitor (CM01) into nanocrystals to improve its potency and bioavailability. They will test the nanocrystal drug in lab-grown pancreatic cancer cells and in animal models, including combining it with the standard chemotherapy Gem/NabP. Researchers will study how the drug affects NF-κB signaling and use prior CRISPR screening results to guide combinations and dosing. Toxicity and delivery properties will be measured to see if the nanocrystal approach makes the drug safer and more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors show high PRMT5 expression or who are receiving Gem/NabP chemotherapy, would be the likely candidates for future trials stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non‑pancreatic cancers, pancreatic tumors without PRMT5 overexpression, or those needing immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical project right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make a candidate PRMT5 inhibitor more effective and improve chemotherapy response for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies of this specific PRMT5 inhibitor and other PRMT5-targeting approaches have shown anticancer activity, but using nanocrystals to boost potency and delivery is a newer approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Tao — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Lu, Tao
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.