Overcoming therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Overcoming mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11364210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are tackling why pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma often outsmarts treatments and exploring new ways to overcome it to help patients live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,928,906 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA265762-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors exhibit resistance mechanisms related to the tumor microenvironment and metabolic stress may participate in future translational efforts or trials stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients with pancreatic cancer may not directly benefit if their tumors do not share the resistance pathways studied or if therapeutic options are not yet ready for clinical testing.
What this research studies
This program aims to understand how the tumor and its surrounding environment protect pancreatic cancer cells from therapy. By studying the roles of the fibrotic, poorly perfused tumor microenvironment, glycosylation patterns like CA-19-9, and the signaling networks that keep cancer cells alive, the project seeks to identify new points to intervene. The work combines analysis of tumor and stromal cells, metabolic stress responses, and epigenetic changes to reveal how resistance develops. Patients with pancreatic cancer could benefit from future therapies that target these resistance pathways and improve drug delivery. The research is conducted at the Salk Institute under the leadership of Tony R. Hunter and collaborators, with a focus on translating findings toward better treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies that make pancreatic cancer therapies more effective and help patients live longer.
How similar studies have gone: Past research has shown that targeting tumor microenvironment factors and metabolic pathways can overcome resistance in some cancers, but pancreatic cancer remains highly challenging and this project aims to advance that progress.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Tony R. — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Tony R.
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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.