Targeting signaling networks to overcome resistance in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Project 2: Targeting signaling networks to overcome therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11364221 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to understand why pancreatic cancer stops responding to treatment and how to block those signals to improve control of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $420,771 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA265762-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364221 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those from whom tumor tissue can be analyzed may ultimately benefit from advances informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not benefit if their cancer biology does not rely on the studied signaling pathways or if current therapies dominate outcomes.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the signaling networks that drive resistance to chemotherapy. Researchers will use advanced methods to map where signals occur in tumors and how blocking specific cytokines like LIF, IL6, and OSM affects tumor growth. They will study these effects in animal models that resemble human pancreatic cancer and verify findings in human tissue samples. The aim is to uncover strategies that prevent resistance and achieve longer-lasting tumor control for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to keep pancreatic cancer responsive to treatment for longer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked STAT3 signaling and cytokines to therapy resistance, with ongoing work showing promise in modulating these pathways.
Where this research is happening
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Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Engle, Dannielle — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Engle, Dannielle
Related research
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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.