Preventing early pancreas cell changes that lead to pancreatic cancer

Full Project 3 – Pancreatic ADM

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIV · NIH-11180523

Trying to reduce early pancreas cell changes called acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in people at risk for pancreatic cancer, such as those with chronic pancreatitis.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorFLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIV (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TALLAHASSEE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11180523 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will compare healthy donor pancreas tissue, tissue from people with chronic pancreatitis, and tumor samples from pancreatic cancer to track how acinar cells change into duct-like cells (ADM). They will use lab-grown 3-D cell models and analyses of the surrounding tissue environment to identify molecular signals that drive ADM. Much of the work uses patient tissue samples and cell cultures to recreate ADM in the lab so scientists can test what stops or reverses it. The team aims to find targets in the microenvironment that could be used to prevent progression to invasive pancreatic cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with chronic pancreatitis, patients undergoing pancreatic surgery who can donate tissue, or healthy donors willing to provide pancreatic tissue samples.

Not a fit: People without pancreatic disease or those whose cancer is already advanced are unlikely to benefit directly from this early prevention-focused research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify ways to prevent or slow the earliest steps that lead to pancreatic cancer, lowering future risk for high-risk patients.

How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have shown differences in ADM using donor tissues, but translating these findings into clinical prevention strategies remains early and largely unproven.

Where this research is happening

TALLAHASSEE, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer cell line, Cancers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.