Understanding how sugar fuels pancreatic cancer spread
Official title: The Evolution of PGD Addiction in Human Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11385443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how pancreatic cancer cells use sugar to power the spread of tumors, especially to the liver, with the goal of finding new ways to stop deadly metastasis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $351,131 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA222594-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic cancer, especially those with metastatic disease, or those whose tumors have metastatic potential, could benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or without metastatic disease may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how metabolic changes in pancreatic cancer cells help cancer spread to other organs. It uses patient-derived cancer cells and tissues, three-dimensional lab models, and mouse studies to explore the role of a key enzyme called PGD and how glucose intake accelerates metastatic growth. By mapping how sugar availability drives PGD activity in metastatic cancer, the work aims to identify new targets for treatment that could slow or stop progression. The findings could lead to therapies that specifically interrupt the metabolic steps fueling liver metastases in pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new treatment targets to slow or prevent metastatic pancreatic cancer and improve outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that cancer metabolism and PGD can influence tumor growth, but translating these findings to effective treatments remains challenging and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Oliver Gene — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Oliver Gene
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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.