Targeted nanoparticles for treating pancreatic cancer
Official title: Stimuli-responsive mucin1-specific nanoparticles for efficacious combinatorial chemotherapy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-10903807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on tiny particles that can deliver chemotherapy directly to pancreatic cancer cells, making the treatment more effective and helping patients get better results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $442,634 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263897-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing nanoparticles that specifically target pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to deliver chemotherapy drugs more effectively. By using a stimuli-responsive system, the nanoparticles can release the drugs, cisplatin and gemcitabine, directly at the tumor site, potentially overcoming the resistance that PDAC has to traditional therapies. The approach aims to improve the bioavailability and distribution of these drugs, which could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients with this aggressive cancer. The research involves synthesizing and characterizing these nanoparticles to ensure they effectively target the cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment efficacy and survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using targeted drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vivero-Escoto, Juan Luis — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Vivero-Escoto, Juan Luis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mucin-1 targeted nanoparticles delivering chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer
A new targeted nanoparticle system is being developed to deliver chemotherapy directly to pancreatic cancer cells in order to improve treatment outcomes.
-
MUC1-targeted nanoparticles that deliver two chemotherapy drugs to pancreatic cancer
A targeted nanoparticle is designed to carry gemcitabine and cisplatin into MUC1-positive pancreatic tumors to try to improve treatment for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
-
Fibrin-rich tumor stroma as a new driver of immune response in pancreatic cancer
This grant explores how fibrin-involved tumor surroundings in pancreatic cancer might affect immune therapy, with the goal of making treatments work better for patients.
-
TREM2+ macrophages and liver metastases in pancreatic cancer
Researchers are studying immune cells in liver metastases from pancreatic cancer to understand how they influence the cancer’s spread and more effective treatments.
-
Protein S could slow pancreatic cancer and blood clots
A potential treatment study looks at restoring a natural blood protein, Protein S, to help people with pancreatic cancer by slowing tumor growth and reducing dangerous clots.
-
In vivo B7-H3 CAR-T cells for pancreatic cancer therapy
A patient-friendly look at a new approach that aims to produce CAR-T cells directly inside the body to target pancreatic cancer.
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.