Targeting pancreatic cancer by interrupting nerve-growth signals and cancer cell survival pathways
Official title: Exploiting the Cross-talk between Neurotrophin Receptors and Mixed Lineage Kinases to Target Pancreatic Cancer.
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11187638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to slow pancreatic cancer by blocking signals from nerves that feed tumors and by hitting key cancer-supporting pathways, which could make standard treatments more effective for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 2I01BX004903-05A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those with high-risk aging factors and nerve-tumor interactions may benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
This grant is basic and preclinical; directly benefiting patients depends on future translational studies and approved therapies.
What this research studies
This NIH grant explores how nerve signals and a family of kinases interact to support pancreatic tumors, with the goal of making existing chemotherapy work better. Using animal models that mimic human pancreatic cancer and aging-related factors, researchers will test how disrupting neurotrophin receptor signaling and mixed lineage kinase activity affects tumor growth and the tumor’s dense supporting tissue. The work focuses on identifying drugs that can soften the tumor stroma and improve delivery of chemotherapy, while also considering pain pathways that worsen patient experience. Findings could point to new combination therapies that enhance treatment response in pancreatic cancer patients, particularly those affected by age-related risk factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new drug combinations that improve chemotherapy efficacy and reduce pain for pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that targeting tumor stroma and nerve interactions can impact pancreatic cancer growth, but translating these findings into effective human treatments remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rana, Ajay Nmn — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rana, Ajay Nmn
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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.