PSCA-targeted antibody for imaging and treating pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engineered anti-PSCA antibodies for immunoPET and targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11250064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A specially engineered antibody is used to find and deliver targeted radiation to pancreatic tumors that have high PSCA levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $556,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266665-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11250064 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose tumors test positive for PSCA expression and who are candidates for systemic targeted therapy would be the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack PSCA expression or who have medical problems that prevent radionuclide treatment (for example, poor kidney or bone marrow function) would likely not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers have built a modified antibody fragment that seeks out PSCA, a protein found on many pancreatic tumors, and can carry a radioactive particle directly to cancer cells. The design speeds clearance from the blood so healthy organs like bone marrow and kidneys receive less radiation. In this project the team will map where the antibody goes in the body and test how well it controls tumor growth in mouse models using two different therapeutic radionuclides. Promising results would support moving toward early human trials at clinical centers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow more precise imaging and delivery of radiation to PSCA-positive pancreatic tumors while reducing harm to bone marrow and kidneys.
How similar studies have gone: Targeted radionuclide therapy has worked well in other cancers such as 177Lu-dotatate for neuroendocrine tumors, but PSCA-directed radiolabeled antibodies for pancreatic cancer are mostly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Anna M — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Wu, Anna M
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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.