Targeted nanoparticle gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer
Pilot Project 5 - Pancreatic Treatment
A targeted nanoparticle form of gemcitabine is being developed to better reach and kill pancreatic cancer cells for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180979 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are modifying gemcitabine into a stearoyl-linked form and packaging it in nanoparticles that are coated with an antibody that seeks EGFR, a protein often found on pancreatic tumors. The design aims to protect the drug from breakdown and help it enter cancer cells more efficiently. The team will test these nanoparticles on patient-derived organoids (small lab-grown versions of patients' tumors), primary tumor cells, and preclinical models to watch how well the drug gets into tumors and kills cancer while reducing harm to healthy tissue. The work focuses in part on tumors from patients in high-risk groups from the center's catchment area.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those whose tumors show EGFR expression or who have disease that is resistant to standard chemotherapy.
Not a fit: People without PDAC, or whose tumors lack EGFR and who cannot or do not want to provide tumor samples, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this pilot project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve how well gemcitabine works against pancreatic tumors and lower treatment side effects by delivering the drug more directly into cancer cells.
How similar studies have performed: Nanoparticle drug delivery and targeted therapies have shown benefit in other cancers, but EGFR-targeted, stearoyl-modified gemcitabine nanoparticles represent a novel approach currently at early-stage testing.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoon, Saunjoo L — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Yoon, Saunjoo L
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.