Targeting autophagy to treat KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer
Official title: Project 1: Targeting autophagy for the treatment of KRAS-mutant PDAC
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11416750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores using approved drugs to block autophagy in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer to improve treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $491,032 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA257911-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416750 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may be eligible for MEK inhibitor and HCQ combination therapy trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for the specific drug combinations or with contraindications to autophagy inhibitors may not benefit from these trials.
What this research studies
People with pancreatic cancer driven by KRAS mutations may benefit from a new approach that combines autophagy inhibition with MEK/ERK pathway targeting. The project builds on prior findings that pancreatic tumors rely on autophagy and that inhibiting it can be more effective when paired with drugs that block KRAS signaling. The research translates laboratory findings into phase II clinical trials, using approved drugs in combinations to test safety and potential effectiveness. Patients may contribute by considering trial participation as part of this translational effort toward improved therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with KRAS-mutant PDAC could have a more effective treatment option that disrupts the cancer's metabolic support system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies with HCQ and MEK/ERK inhibitors showed limited efficacy as monotherapy, but combined strategies are currently being explored in early-phase trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Der, Channing J. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Der, Channing J.
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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.