Patient-derived pancreatic tumors to guide personalized treatments
Pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft tumors for translational studies in precision cancer medicine
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11317231
Researchers will grow pancreatic tumors taken from patients to learn which therapies work best for different tumor types.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11317231 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project grows low-passage patient-derived pancreatic tumors in models that reflect the two main tumor subtypes (Classical and Basal-like). Teams will profile tumors with spatial transcriptomics and study tumor-derived extracellular vesicles to map molecular differences. They will test standard chemotherapy (for example, FOLFIRINOX) and investigational agents across these models to see which tumor and stromal subtypes respond. Findings aim to help match future patients to therapies that are more likely to work for their tumor type.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tumor tissue (from surgery or biopsy) or who receive care at sites collaborating with the research team.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those unable or unwilling to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose more effective, subtype-tailored treatments for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Patient-derived xenograft models have shown promise in reflecting patient tumor biology and predicting responses in some settings, but they are not yet a perfect or universally validated tool.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LISS, ANDREW — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: LISS, ANDREW
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.
Conditions: Cancer Biology, Cancer Cause, Cancer Etiology, Cancers