New treatment approach for pancreatic cancer using combination therapy

Combination Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11053633

This study is testing a new treatment for pancreatic cancer that combines a special delivery system for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine with another drug to help your immune system fight the cancer better, aiming to make the treatment more effective and easier on your body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11053633 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel combination therapy for pancreatic cancer that aims to improve treatment efficacy while reducing toxicity. It focuses on developing a new nanoparticle carrier for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, which enhances its delivery to tumors. The study also explores the combination of gemcitabine with another drug, PF-04136309, to boost the immune response against cancer cells. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that targets pancreatic cancer more precisely.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally recurrent or metastatic pancreatic cancer who have limited treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who have already received extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and less toxic treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using nanoparticle-based therapies for cancer treatment, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.