Understanding how mechanical forces affect pancreatic cancer cells
Official title: Mechanosensing in Pancreatic Cancer and Metastasis
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11063140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the pressure and movement in pancreatic tumors affect certain cells that can help cancer grow, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how these changes might lead to the cancer spreading, especially to the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006301-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those without pancreatic disease may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mechanical forces within the pancreatic tumor environment influence the behavior of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which play a crucial role in cancer progression. By studying the activation of a specific ion channel called Piezo1 in PSCs, the research aims to understand how these cells respond to pressure and shear stress, potentially leading to their transformation into cancer-associated fibroblasts. The approach includes both laboratory experiments with mouse and human cells to observe these mechanisms and their implications for cancer metastasis, particularly to the liver.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that prevent the progression of pancreatic cancer by targeting the mechanical signaling pathways in PSCs.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting mechanical signaling in PSCs is relatively novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding cancer microenvironments and their impact on tumor progression.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liddle, Rodger a. — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liddle, Rodger a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Camk2b loss fuels pancreatic cancer spread and immune suppression
A new NIH grant seeks to understand why losing CAMK2B in pancreatic cancer makes the cancer spread more and suppresses immune responses, using advanced mouse models.
-
Cystine-limited stress and pancreatic cancer growth and spread
Aims to understand how pancreatic cancer cells survive when the nutrient cystine is scarce and to find weak spots that could be targeted to slow or stop tumor growth and spread.
-
Anti-MUC16 antibody combo to fight metastatic pancreatic cancer
A new antibody-based treatment added to standard chemotherapy is being tested to slow or stop the spread of pancreatic cancer in preclinical models.
-
Understanding what drives metastasis in pancreatic cancer
A researcher at a top cancer center is studying why pancreatic cancer spreads, aiming to identify key factors that could be targeted to stop metastasis.
-
Microbes in pancreatic cancer: where they live and how they affect spread
This research studies how bacteria inside pancreatic tumors and liver metastases might influence cancer growth and spread, with goals that could lead to new ways to treat or manage pancreatic cancer.
-
RHAMM B and pancreatic cancer spread
Researchers are studying RHAMM B to understand how pancreatic cancer spreads and to find new ways to stop it.
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.