Targeting a specific protein in a type of pancreatic cancer
Official title: Targeted EGFR for basal subtype pancreatic cancer
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11018567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a tough type of pancreatic cancer called basal tumors that don’t respond well to regular treatments, and it’s exploring whether a special medicine that targets a protein called EGFR, especially when used with other therapies, can help improve the outcomes for patients dealing with this challenging condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $639,879 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288145-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with basal subtype pancreatic cancer who have not responded well to standard chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with classical subtype pancreatic cancer are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a subtype of pancreatic cancer known as basal tumors, which are resistant to standard chemotherapy. The team aims to investigate the effectiveness of targeting the EGFR protein in these tumors, as previous treatments have not been successful. By analyzing data from clinical trials, they found that patients with basal tumors may actually benefit from EGFR inhibitors when combined with other treatments. This approach seeks to improve outcomes for patients with this challenging cancer subtype through precision medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with basal subtype pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting specific proteins in cancer treatment can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Jen Jen — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Jen Jen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.