Understanding how pancreatic cancer cells change and resist treatment
Official title: Assessing the Transcriptional and Signaling Basis of Heterogeneity in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10906025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different cancer cells in pancreatic cancer can behave differently, which might help explain why some cells are tougher to treat than others, and it's designed for people with pancreatic cancer and their families who want to understand more about their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,415 |
| NIH project number | 5F31CA275364-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancers or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is a type of pancreatic cancer. The study aims to understand how different cancer cells within tumors can exhibit varying characteristics that affect their behavior and response to treatments. By examining the signaling pathways and transcriptional differences that lead to this heterogeneity, researchers hope to identify why some cells are more resistant to therapies than others. The approach involves using advanced quantitative systems biology methods to analyze these processes at a cellular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer by targeting the specific mechanisms that allow cancer cells to resist therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding cancer cell behavior through similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barbeau, Michelle C — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Barbeau, Michelle C
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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.