Stromal targeting to help drugs reach pancreatic cancer tumors
Official title: Stromal targeting to improve the efficacy of systemically administered drugs for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11403969 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to improve drug delivery to pancreatic cancer by directly targeting the tumor’s surrounding tissue to help medicines reach cancer cells more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,825,788 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA283394-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403969 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors could be accessed for intratumoral delivery approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors cannot be accessed for local delivery or who have contraindications to the implant procedure may not benefit.
What this research studies
Pancreatic cancer has a very low survival rate and a dense tumor stroma that blocks both drugs and immune cells. This project develops a local, implanted system to slowly release an enzyme (hyaluronidase) inside the tumor to break down the barrier without affecting the rest of the body. Researchers will use computer modeling to design implants that distribute the enzyme evenly and medical imaging to see how this changes blood flow and drug buildup in tumors. The goal is to make systemic cancer therapies work better with fewer side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make existing drugs work more effectively against pancreatic cancer with fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous systemic stroma-targeting approaches showed promise but were limited by off-target effects; this study tests a local delivery method that could improve effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Solorio, Luis — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Solorio, Luis
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.