SOAT1 as a target in pancreatic cancer
Official title: SOAT1 as a targetable dependency in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11360158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a specific enzyme, SOAT1, to see if blocking it can slow down or stop pancreatic cancer progression in models that mimic human disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | June 23, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $775,475 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292775-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those at risk who could contribute organoid models or participate in related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not matching the disease focus or whose tumors do not depend on SOAT1 pathways may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer that is hard to treat. This project uses mouse and patient-derived organoid models to explore how SOAT1 influences tumor growth and metastasis by altering cholesterol and mevalonate pathways. The team will test whether removing or inhibiting SOAT1 can curb cancer spread and improve responses to therapy in these models. Insights from this work could point to new therapeutic strategies for PDAC patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment approaches that slow PDAC progression and reduce metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests SOAT1 is linked to aggressive PDAC behavior, with genetic ablation reducing tumor growth in models, indicating potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuveson, David a — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Tuveson, David a
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This project tests whether stopping pancreatic cancer cells from using stored iron can help people with KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma respond longer to new KRAS-targeting drugs.
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.