Understanding how immunotherapy works in pancreatic cancer

Mechanisms of immunotherapy response and resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11035117

This study is looking at why some people with pancreatic cancer benefit from immunotherapy while others don’t, and it aims to find better treatment combinations that can help boost the immune system's fight against this tough cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11035117 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind why some patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma respond to immunotherapy while others do not. By creating novel animal models, the team aims to study the behavior of specific immune cells that target pancreatic cancer over time. The goal is to identify effective combinations of therapies that can enhance the immune response against this aggressive cancer. Ultimately, the findings will inform the development of new treatment strategies that could be tested in clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are seeking new treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who do not have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for patients with pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results with immunotherapy in different cancers, but this specific approach in pancreatic cancer is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, 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 anti-cancer therapy
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.