Protein S could slow pancreatic cancer and blood clots
Official title: Protein S, a natural anticoagulant controls Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by mediating both antitumor and antithrombotic effects
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-11450513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A potential treatment study looks at restoring a natural blood protein, Protein S, to help people with pancreatic cancer by slowing tumor growth and reducing dangerous clots.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $621,353 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA304610-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may have low Protein S levels or be candidates for experimental therapy in early-stage translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PDAC or those unable to receive protein-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores whether giving Protein S can simultaneously slow pancreatic cancer progression and lower the risk of blood clots in patients or patient-derived models. Researchers will measure Protein S levels in people with pancreatic cancer and study gene changes linked to Protein S. They will test Protein S alone and with gemcitabine in realistic models like orthotopic tumors, humanized systems, and organoids to see if it reduces tumors and clot risk. If successful, this work could lead to a novel, dual-acting therapy for patients with PDAC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide a new therapy that both fights pancreatic cancer and lowers clot risk for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that Protein S can reduce tumor growth and thrombosis in models, suggesting potential but needs human data.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majumder, Samarpan — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Majumder, Samarpan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Fibrin-rich tumor stroma as a new driver of immune response in pancreatic cancer
This grant explores how fibrin-involved tumor surroundings in pancreatic cancer might affect immune therapy, with the goal of making treatments work better for patients.
-
TREM2+ macrophages and liver metastases in pancreatic cancer
Researchers are studying immune cells in liver metastases from pancreatic cancer to understand how they influence the cancer’s spread and more effective treatments.
-
In vivo B7-H3 CAR-T cells for pancreatic cancer therapy
A patient-friendly look at a new approach that aims to produce CAR-T cells directly inside the body to target pancreatic cancer.
-
Metabolic changes in pancreatic cancer when treated with crisantaspase
Aims to understand how pancreatic cancer cells adapt their metabolism when treated with crisantaspase to inform better treatment strategies for patients.
-
New combination therapy for pancreatic cancer in animals
A new therapy designed to weaken the tumor’s protective surroundings and boost treatment effects in pancreatic cancer models.
-
Novel combo therapy using oncolytic adenovirus and immune drugs for pancreatic cancer
Aims to combine an oncolytic virus with immune therapies to help shrink pancreatic tumors before surgery and keep them from coming back.
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.