Targeting IRAK4 to improve treatment for pancreatic cancer
Official title: IRAK4 AS A NOVEL IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC TARGET IN PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10818319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by focusing on a protein that helps cancer cells protect themselves, with the goal of making them easier to treat with chemotherapy, and it’s designed for patients looking for better treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $337,922 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA219697-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10818319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by targeting a specific protein called IRAK4, which plays a role in the cancer cells' self-defense mechanisms. The study aims to inhibit IRAK4 to weaken these cancer cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. By understanding how pancreatic cancer cells activate their innate immune responses, the researchers hope to develop a more effective treatment strategy that could improve patient outcomes. The research involves laboratory experiments and potentially clinical trials to test the effectiveness of this novel immunotherapeutic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While immunotherapy has shown promise in other cancer types, this specific approach targeting IRAK4 in pancreatic cancer is novel and has not been extensively tested before.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Kian H — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Lim, Kian H
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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.