Metabolic changes in pancreatic cancer when treated with crisantaspase
Official title: Metabolic adaptations to crisantaspase treatment mediated by the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11413687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how pancreatic cancer cells adapt their metabolism when treated with crisantaspase to inform better treatment strategies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $251,768 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121322-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may benefit from therapies that target tumor metabolism and amino acid pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on the studied metabolic pathways or who cannot tolerate amino acid deprivation strategies may derive little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors respond to crisantaspase, an enzyme that alters amino acid availability. Researchers will study interactions between PDAC cells and the tumor stroma, particularly pancreatic stellate cells, to see how these cells affect treatment effectiveness. By examining metabolic pathways and protective responses like autophagy, the team hopes to identify factors that limit therapy and potential ways to overcome them. The work combines laboratory studies with biological assays to map how amino acid deprivation influences tumor biology in a patient-relevant context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide more effective use of amino-acid restriction strategies in PDAC and identify targets to enhance crisantaspase therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials with asparaginase-based strategies showed mixed results, underscoring the need to understand tumor-stromal interactions and compensatory metabolic pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bollino, Dominique — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Bollino, Dominique
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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.