Targeted exosome therapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engineering Exosome for Pancreatic Cancer Targeting Therapies
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11174601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing engineered exosomes that latch onto pancreatic cancer cells and avoid immune clearance to deliver drugs more effectively for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $525,040 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276732-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for related future trials would be people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially tumors that express the integrin αvβ3 target.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack the integrin αvβ3 target, those with other cancer types, or anyone seeking immediate standard-of-care treatment may not benefit from this preclinical-focused work.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, this work modifies tiny natural particles called exosomes to carry cancer medicines directly to pancreatic tumors. The team adds a tumor-homing peptide (RGD) so the exosomes bind cancer cells that express integrin αvβ3, and a small CD47-derived peptide to help them evade clearance by macrophages in the liver and spleen. They test these engineered exosomes in laboratory experiments and animal models to measure tumor targeting, circulation time, and delivery efficiency. The goal is to make treatments that reach tumors better and reduce side effects from drugs going to the wrong places.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let therapies reach pancreatic tumors more reliably and reduce toxicity from off-target delivery.
How similar studies have gone: Similar engineered exosome approaches have shown encouraging results in lab and animal studies, but clinical proof in people remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Shi-He — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Liu, Shi-He
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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.