Targeted nanoparticles to improve gemcitabine delivery for pancreatic cancer
Pilot Project 5 - Pancreatic Treatment
This project uses a redesigned gemcitabine drug packaged in targeted nanoparticles to get more medicine into pancreatic tumors and help patients whose cancers resist standard chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187180 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers have modified gemcitabine into a form called 4NSG and packaged it into tiny particles coated with an antibody that targets EGFR, which is common on pancreatic tumors. They will test these targeted nanoparticles on patient-derived organoids (mini-tumors grown from patient tissue) and on primary tumor cells taken from patients to see if the drug gets into cancer cells better. The team will also study safety, delivery, and effectiveness in preclinical models to learn how the treatment behaves in whole tissues. If the approach works well in these models, it could support future clinical trials for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma—particularly those with tumors that respond poorly to standard gemcitabine therapy or that show higher EGFR expression—and patients willing to provide tumor tissue for organoid or cell studies.
Not a fit: Patients without pancreatic cancer, those unable or unwilling to provide tumor tissue, or whose tumors lack EGFR expression are less likely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could increase drug uptake into tumors, help overcome gemcitabine resistance, and potentially improve treatment responses for some pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other targeted nanoparticle and modified gemcitabine approaches have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but this specific 4NSG anti‑EGFR nanoparticle approach is novel and at an early preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Bo — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Han, Bo
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.