Targeted nanomedicines for treating pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engineered exosome mimetics as targeted biological nanomedicines for pancreatic cancer
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11041093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to pancreatic cancer cells, which could help reduce side effects and make treatment more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 21, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $206,869 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA283420-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, particularly those with non-resectable disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with resectable pancreatic cancer or those not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing engineered exosome mimetics that can specifically target pancreatic cancer cells. By utilizing a patented platform that identifies cancer-specific surface antigens, the study aims to create a precision nanomedicine that minimizes the harmful side effects of traditional chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine and fluorouracil. The approach involves synthesizing vesicles derived from endosomes to deliver these drugs directly to cancer cells, potentially improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using targeted nanomedicines for cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moses, Marsha a — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Moses, Marsha a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.