Nanoparticles that soften pancreatic cancer scar tissue to boost chemo and immune therapy
Official title: Normalizing PDAC stroma with PCBP2 siRNA nanoparticles to improve the antitumor activity of chemotherapy and immunotherapy
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-11296927 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses tiny nanoparticles carrying RNA to change the scar-like tissue around pancreatic tumors so chemotherapy and immune treatments can reach and kill cancer cells more effectively for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $391,240 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271592-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296927 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those with tumors characterized by dense desmoplastic (scar-like) stroma, would be the intended patient group.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pancreatic cancer, those whose tumors lack dense stromal tissue, or individuals unable to take part in experimental therapies are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical research in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers aim to 'normalize' the dense scar tissue (stroma) around pancreatic tumors by delivering PCBP2-targeting siRNA with nanoparticles to reduce type I collagen produced by activated pancreatic stellate cells. The plan is to loosen the stromal barrier enough to improve drug penetration and immune-cell access without removing the stroma entirely. Teams will test the nanoparticles in laboratory and animal models, measuring drug distribution, tumor response, immune activity, and safety. If preclinical results are promising, the group may move toward clinical testing in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make existing chemotherapy and immunotherapy work better against pancreatic cancer by improving drug and immune-cell access to tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical attempts to remove stroma have failed or made outcomes worse, but preclinical work supports stromal 'normalization' and nanoparticle-delivered siRNA has shown promise in lab and animal studies, though clinical proof is still lacking.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Kun — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Kun
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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.