Understanding how pancreatic cancer hides from the body's immune system
Elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of immune evasion in pancreatic cancer
This research aims to discover why pancreatic cancer is so good at avoiding detection and attack by our natural defenses, hoping to find new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109707 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Pancreatic cancer is a very serious disease, and we want to find better ways to fight it. Our bodies have an immune system that can recognize and destroy cancer cells, but pancreatic cancer often finds ways to hide. This project will look closely at how the immune system's T cells, which are like tiny soldiers, interact with pancreatic cancer cells in both lab models and human samples. By understanding how the cancer evades these T cells, we hope to develop new treatments that can help the immune system find and eliminate the cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with pancreatic cancer who may benefit from future advanced immune therapies developed from these discoveries.
Not a fit: Patients without pancreatic cancer or those not seeking new immune-based treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-based therapies that help patients with pancreatic cancer by making their own immune system more effective against the disease.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that harnessing the immune system can be effective against some cancers, and preliminary findings from this team suggest promising avenues for pancreatic cancer.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freed-Pastor, William a — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Freed-Pastor, William a
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.