MUC1-targeted nanoparticles that deliver two chemotherapy drugs to pancreatic cancer
Official title: Stimuli-responsive mucin1-specific nanoparticles for efficacious combinatorial chemotherapy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11143710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A targeted nanoparticle is designed to carry gemcitabine and cisplatin into MUC1-positive pancreatic tumors to try to improve treatment for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $489,818 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263897-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors express tumor-associated MUC1 and who are eligible for gemcitabine- and cisplatin-based chemotherapy would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack MUC1, who cannot tolerate gemcitabine or cisplatin, or whose disease cannot be reached effectively by nanoparticle delivery may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds tiny, tumor-seeking particles that bind to a protein called MUC1 found on many pancreatic cancer cells. The particles hold gemcitabine and cisplatin and are engineered to release the drugs when they reach the tumor environment. The team has synthesized and tested these nanoparticles in laboratory models and is optimizing drug ratios and release triggers to increase tumor killing. If results continue to look promising in preclinical work, the approach could move toward human testing for people with MUC1-positive pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could boost chemotherapy delivery to tumors, improve cancer control, and lower side effects by reducing exposure to healthy tissue.
How similar studies have gone: Some nanoparticle drug formulations (for example, albumin-bound paclitaxel/Abraxane) have shown benefit in pancreatic cancer, but MUC1-targeted, stimuli-responsive dual-drug nanoparticles remain largely preclinical and unproven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vivero-Escoto, Juan Luis — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Vivero-Escoto, Juan Luis
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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.