Targeting a protein to improve treatment for pancreatic cancer
Official title: A Novel Strategy of Targeting Transmembrane Protein to Improve KRAS-targeted Therapy
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11045056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain protein in pancreatic cancer cells affects their ability to get nutrients, with the hope that by blocking this protein, we can find new ways to help treat pancreatic cancer by starving the cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA288804-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045056 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on pancreatic cancer, which is currently incurable. It aims to understand how a specific transmembrane protein affects the nutrient supply to cancer cells, potentially leading to new treatment strategies. By blocking this protein, the researchers hope to starve the cancer cells and induce cell death. The study will involve developing new therapeutic agents that target this protein, using various preclinical models to evaluate their effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving survival rates and patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting transmembrane proteins is a promising approach, this specific strategy in pancreatic cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yao, Wantong — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yao, Wantong
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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.