MNK signaling's effect on the immune attack in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Role of MNK kinase pathway in regulating tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11131099 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is exploring whether blocking MNK enzymes can help immune cells enter and better fight pancreatic cancer tumors in people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005595-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131099 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors show poor immune cell infiltration or resistance to current immunotherapies, would be the most relevant candidates for future clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers other than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those whose tumors are already well controlled by standard therapies are less likely to benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the MNK kinase pathway controls immune cell access and function inside pancreatic tumors. They will examine how blocking MNK in tumor cells changes signals that attract CD8+ T cells and how MNK inhibition affects tumor-associated macrophages that can suppress immune responses. The project uses laboratory models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and molecular tests to trace changes in immune signaling and cell behavior. The goal is to identify ways to combine MNK-targeting approaches with other therapies that prevent immune exhaustion.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new combination treatments that help patients' own immune cells better penetrate and kill pancreatic tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work so far shows MNK inhibition can increase CD8+ T cell infiltration but also triggers suppressive macrophage changes, so this research builds on promising but mixed early results.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munshi, Hidayatullah G. — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Munshi, Hidayatullah G.
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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.