Understanding how low oxygen levels affect pancreatic cancer cells
Official title: Metabolic changes accompanying durable, hypoxia-driven EMT in pancreas cancer
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10831307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in pancreatic cancer tumors change how cancer cells act and use energy, which could help us understand why the cancer becomes more aggressive and how we might find better treatments for it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $167,870 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA243007-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with advanced disease exhibiting hypoxic tumor regions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those whose tumors do not exhibit hypoxia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how low oxygen conditions in pancreatic cancer tumors lead to significant changes in the behavior and metabolism of cancer cells. By examining the process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which allows cancer cells to become more aggressive, the study aims to uncover the lasting metabolic alterations that occur even after oxygen levels return to normal. The researchers will use various models to simulate these conditions and analyze the metabolic profiles of the cancer cells. This work could provide insights into how pancreatic cancer progresses and how it might be treated more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating pancreatic cancer by targeting the metabolic changes that support tumor growth.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of examining durable metabolic changes in response to hypoxia in pancreatic cancer is novel, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding cancer cell behavior under low oxygen conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazzara, Matthew J — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Lazzara, Matthew J
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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.