Understanding how epigenetic therapy can improve cancer treatment
Mechanisms of immunomodulation with epigenetic therapy
This study is looking at how a special treatment can help make existing cancer therapies work better for people with pancreatic cancer, especially those whose cancer is hard to treat, by changing the environment around the tumor to boost the immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146704 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how epigenetic therapy can enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that often resists current therapies. The approach focuses on modifying the tumor microenvironment to make it more responsive to immune treatments. By combining a specific epigenetic drug with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, the researchers aim to improve patient outcomes and increase the number of patients who benefit from these therapies. The study includes ongoing clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of this combination in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have not responded to standard treatments.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azad, Nilofer S. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Azad, Nilofer S.
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.