Shortened sugar tags on proteins that may help pancreatic cancer spread
Truncated O-glycan-dependent mechanisms inducing metastatic dissemination in pancreatic cancer
This work looks at whether abnormal, shortened sugar decorations on tumor proteins make pancreatic cancer cells more likely to become aggressive and spread in people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212463 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on abnormal O-glycans (short sugar chains like Tn and STn) found on proteins in pancreatic tumors and comparing human tumor samples to laboratory models. They use CRISPR to turn off the enzyme C1GALT1 in pancreatic cancer cells to create the same truncated sugar patterns seen in some patient tumors. The team will examine how these changes affect tumor proteins such as mucins and CD44 and track whether cells become more tumorigenic and metastatic in experimental models. Results are intended to reveal the biological steps that let pancreatic cancer spread so future therapies or tests can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with pancreatic cancer, especially those undergoing surgery or biopsy who can donate tumor tissue or blood samples, would be the ideal candidates to contribute to this work.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those not able to provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participating in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new markers or targets that help detect or block pancreatic cancer spread earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have linked truncated O-glycans to more aggressive cancer behavior, but applying these findings specifically to mechanisms of pancreatic cancer metastasis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ponnusamy, Moorthy P. — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ponnusamy, Moorthy P.
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.