Stopping pancreatic cancer by blocking NetrinG1 in the tumor-supporting tissue
Neutralizing Stromal NetrinG1 to Intercept Pancreatic Cancer
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR · NIH-11168830
This project uses a treatment that blocks a protein called NetrinG1 in the tissue that supports tumors to try to stop early pancreatic cancer in people at high risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168830 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work targets the tumor stroma — the supportive tissue around pancreatic tumors — and a protein called NetrinG1 that marks tumor-promoting fibroblasts. Researchers will discover and screen agents (for example neutralizing antibodies) that block NetG1 using 3D lab models, animal studies, and analysis of human precancerous tissue. The goal is to shift fibroblasts away from tumor-promoting states and prevent precancerous lesions from progressing to invasive pancreatic cancer. Promising agents would then be advanced toward testing in people at elevated risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer — such as those with hereditary risk (including BRCA2 mutations), chronic pancreatitis, or new-onset diabetes — would be the primary candidates for interception strategies developed here.
Not a fit: People with advanced, metastatic pancreatic cancer are unlikely to benefit from an approach focused on intercepting early precancerous progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could prevent precancerous changes from becoming pancreatic cancer and improve early interception and survival for high-risk people.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting the tumor stroma is a relatively new approach: lab and animal studies support NetG1's role in promoting tumors, but NetG1-targeting treatments have not yet been proven in human trials.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CUKIERMAN, EDNA — RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR
- Study coordinator: CUKIERMAN, EDNA
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.