Targeting a protein to disrupt lipid transfer in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Targeting anoctamin 6 to disrupt trogocytosis of cancer-associated fibroblasts
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11058889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pancreatic cancer cells get important fats from nearby support cells and how a specific protein, ANO6, helps with this process; by blocking this interaction, the researchers hope to make immunotherapy work better for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,755 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289629-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pancreatic cancer cells obtain essential lipids from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) through a process called trogocytosis. The study focuses on a specific protein, anoctamin 6 (ANO6), which plays a crucial role in this lipid transfer and is also involved in immune suppression. By disrupting the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Patients may benefit from new treatment strategies that target this mechanism to improve their response to existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting similar mechanisms in cancer biology, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Astsaturov, Igor — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Astsaturov, Igor
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.