NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how different cancer cell types in pancreatic cancer respond to radiation

Official title: Cellular phenotypic heterogeneity and resistance to radiotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10918091 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how different types of cancer cells in pancreatic cancer respond to radiation therapy, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients get more effective treatment.

More Radiotherapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 22, 2021
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$393,750
NIH project number5DP5OD031864-04
Project IDNIH-10918091 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are undergoing or considering radiation therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not receiving radiation therapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the diverse characteristics of cancer cells in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and how these differences affect their response to radiation therapy. By examining the microenvironments within tumors, the study aims to identify mechanisms that lead to resistance against treatment. The approach involves using pancreatic tumor models to explore how certain cancer cell subsets can influence the behavior of others, potentially leading to improved therapeutic strategies for patients. The ultimate goal is to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective radiation treatments for pancreatic cancer, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell heterogeneity and its impact on treatment resistance, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Ohio State University
    Columbus, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Pitter, Kenneth L — Ohio State University
  • Study coordinator: Pitter, Kenneth L

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Why some pancreatic cancers survive radiation

    Researchers are looking at whether signals from certain tumor cells make other pancreatic cancer cells resistant to radiation, with the goal of helping people with pancreatic cancer.

    NIH research Ohio State University · Columbus, UNITED STATES · NIH-11184214

  • PASSCODE: Coordinating and Sharing PDAC stromal research data

    A networked effort at NYU School of Medicine aims to study how the pancreatic cancer stroma shapes tumor growth and patient outcomes, by coordinating researchers, sharing data, and educating the field.

    NIH research New York University School of Medicine · New York, United States · NIH-11413859

  • Oncostatin M Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer

    Aims to understand how a molecule called Oncostatin M and its receptor affect pancreatic cancer to find new ways to help patients.

    NIH research Portland VA Medical Center · Portland, United States · NIH-11402385

  • Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Borderline or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

    A multi-part treatment approach tests giving all chemotherapy and targeted radiotherapy before surgery to help patients with tough-to-remove pancreatic cancer become eligible for curative surgery.

    NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11397470

  • Low-dose, motion-aware MRI to study pancreatic cancer

    A new MRI method using low-dose contrast and motion-resolved imaging is being explored to better characterize pancreatic cancer in patients.

    NIH research University of California Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11394353

  • SOAT1 as a target in pancreatic cancer

    Researchers are studying a specific enzyme, SOAT1, to see if blocking it can slow down or stop pancreatic cancer progression in models that mimic human disease.

    NIH research Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, United States · NIH-11360158

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.