Stopping immune-cell signals that make pancreatic tumors resist gemcitabine
Intratumoral Metabolic Crosstalk Promotes Therapeutic Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers are trying to change tumor-associated immune cells so the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine works better for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11329235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that scientists found certain immune cells in pancreatic tumors release a small molecule (deoxycytidine) that blocks gemcitabine from killing cancer cells. The team plans to map how those immune cells make and release this molecule and how cancer cells take it up and use it. They will test drugs that alter immune cell behavior and metabolic pathways, and use patient-derived microtumor samples and mouse models to see if blocking the interaction restores gemcitabine sensitivity. The work mixes metabolomics, metabolic and signaling inhibitors, and ex vivo human tumor models to link lab findings to human tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic cancer, particularly those being treated with or eligible for gemcitabine and those able to donate tumor tissue for laboratory testing, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those who cannot provide tumor samples or are receiving non-gemcitabine treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this grant's experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make gemcitabine more effective against pancreatic cancer by preventing immune cells from protecting tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have already shown tumor-associated macrophages release deoxycytidine and reduce gemcitabine activity, but clinical benefits from targeting this pathway have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lyssiotis, Costas Andreas — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lyssiotis, Costas Andreas
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.