Notch signaling and the immune environment of pancreatic tumors
Dissecting the role of Notch signaling in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment.
This project is testing whether blocking Notch signals in pancreatic tumors can reduce immune suppression and help treatments work better for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323510 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will study how Notch signaling shapes immune cells around pancreatic tumors, focusing on myeloid cells and T cells. They will use tumor samples and laboratory models to map Notch activity and how it changes immune cell behavior. The researchers will test approaches to block Notch signaling to see if immune suppression lessens and if existing therapies, including immunotherapy, become more effective. Results could guide new treatment strategies or future clinical trials for people with pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diagnosed pancreatic cancer—particularly those with treatment-resistant tumors or who can provide tumor samples or enroll in related trials—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with cancers other than pancreatic cancer or those who cannot or will not provide tumor samples or participate in trials are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to make pancreatic cancers respond better to immunotherapy and other treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting Notch in cancer has shown promising results in lab studies but limited success so far in patients, so applying it to pancreatic cancer is a relatively new and exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pasca Di Magliano, Marina — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Pasca Di Magliano, Marina
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 below.