SPORE in Pancreas Cancer at MSK: advancing personalized therapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center SPORE in Pancreas Cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11397466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, multi-year program at Memorial Sloan Kettering aims to tailor pancreatic cancer treatment to each patient’s biology to improve survival and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,391,668 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA257881-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those with locally advanced or metastatic disease, who are undergoing standard or immune-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not exhibit actionable molecular features or who are not eligible for the proposed therapies may not experience a benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds a specialized program to study pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and how individual genetic and molecular profiles affect responses to therapy. Researchers will use advanced molecular techniques alongside modern treatments to understand why some patients have exceptional, durable responses and why others do not. The goal is to guide clinical decisions with next-generation insights so that more patients with locally advanced or metastatic PDAC can benefit from effective, personalized care. The effort focuses on translating molecular discoveries into real-world treatment strategies and improved survival for pancreatic cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lead to more personalized, effective treatments and longer survival for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that certain PDAC patients have exceptional responses, suggesting a translational path toward more personalized treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'reilly, Eileen Mary — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: O'reilly, Eileen Mary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How nerves influence pancreatic cancer progression and immune response
This NIH grant tests whether nerves and nerve signals affect pancreatic cancer growth and the body’s immune response, with findings that could lead to new therapies for people with pancreatic cancer.
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Overcoming barriers in pancreatic cancer therapy
A cancer research project that explores how pancreatic tumors resist treatment and how to improve therapies by studying tumor cells and their surrounding environment in animal models.
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How low oxygen makes pancreatic cancer cells more aggressive
This project looks at whether low oxygen areas inside pancreatic tumors cause cancer cells to become more aggressive and resist chemotherapy, aiming to help people with pancreatic cancer.
-
How different dietary fats affect pancreatic cancer start and growth
This project looks at whether specific kinds of high-fat diets speed up or slow the start and growth of pancreatic cancer to help people at risk understand dietary effects.
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Immune signals that make pancreatic cancer more stem‑like and aggressive
Looking at whether an immune signal called IL‑22, working through its receptor IL‑22RA1 and STAT3, makes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells more stem‑like and aggressive to guide future treatments for people with PDAC.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering pancreas cancer program
This program uses advanced genetic testing and new treatment approaches to try to improve care for people with locally advanced or metastatic pancreas cancer.
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.