Targeting a new immune pathway to treat pancreatic cancer

Immune Checkpoint Blockade Targeting the Novel PSGL-1/VISTA Axis for Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11115362

This study is looking at a new treatment for pancreatic cancer that could help your immune system fight the disease better by blocking a protein called PSGL-1, and it will test how well this works in mice with different levels of immune cells.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11115362 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a new immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer by blocking a specific protein called PSGL-1, which may help activate T cells that fight tumors. The study will investigate how this treatment affects tumor cells with different levels of T cell presence and whether it can overcome resistance to existing immune therapies. By using a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, researchers will explore the potential benefits of this approach in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who have not responded well to current immune therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who have not yet undergone any form of treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific targeting of the PSGL-1/VISTA axis is novel, similar immunotherapy approaches have shown promise in other aggressive cancers.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.