Understanding and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Growth

Targeting HMGA1 Tumor-Stromal Networks in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11121082

This work explores how a protein called HMGA1 helps pancreatic cancer grow and spread, aiming to find new ways to stop it.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11121082 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Pancreatic cancer is a very serious disease, and this project focuses on a protein called HMGA1 that becomes active in these cancers. Researchers believe HMGA1 acts like a switch, turning on genes that help cancer cells grow and invade surrounding tissues. By understanding how HMGA1 works, especially in the dense tissue around the tumor, we hope to discover new treatment approaches. The goal is to find specific pathways that can be targeted to slow or stop the cancer's progression.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this stage, but future clinical trials stemming from this work would likely seek adults diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Not a fit: Patients without pancreatic cancer or those whose cancer does not involve the HMGA1 protein may not directly benefit from this specific research direction.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new medications or therapies specifically designed to treat pancreatic cancer by blocking the effects of HMGA1.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary results from this team and others suggest that HMGA1 plays a significant role in cancer, indicating a promising area for further investigation.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer CauseCancer EtiologyCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.