Understanding how differences in mitochondria contribute to chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer
Mitochondrial heterogeneity as the origin of chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer
This study is looking at how differences in the energy-producing parts of pancreatic cancer cells affect how well they respond to chemotherapy, with the goal of finding better treatment options for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11061340 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mitochondrial differences within pancreatic cancer tumors and how these variations contribute to resistance against chemotherapy. By utilizing a novel platform called Clonal Replica Tumors (CRTs), the study will analyze how different clonal populations within a tumor respond to various treatments. The approach involves testing multiple drugs on patient-derived tumors in a controlled environment to identify which mitochondrial characteristics lead to treatment failure. This could help in tailoring more effective therapies for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who are facing challenges with chemotherapy resistance.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer who have not yet undergone chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that overcome chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer, potentially increasing survival rates.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using mitochondrial heterogeneity in this context is novel, previous studies have shown that targeting tumor heterogeneity can lead to successful treatment outcomes in other cancer types.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viale, Andrea — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Viale, Andrea
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 below.