Understanding how the environment around pancreatic cancer cells affects their response to treatment
Official title: Targeting nutrient microenvironment imprinted therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11056178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why pancreatic cancer cells often don't respond well to chemotherapy by recreating the environment around the tumors, so we can find ways to make treatments work better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,252 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276461-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are undergoing or considering chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-pancreatic cancers or those who are not receiving chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to chemotherapy by examining the tumor microenvironment (TME). Researchers will recreate the conditions found in pancreatic tumors to study how these factors influence the effectiveness of cancer treatments. By isolating and analyzing the nutrients available in the TME, the team aims to identify specific elements that may help improve treatment responses. This approach could lead to more effective therapies tailored to the unique conditions of pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer patients, enhancing their response to chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the tumor microenvironment can significantly impact treatment outcomes in various cancers, suggesting this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muir, Alexander — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Muir, Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
A patient-friendly look at a study using tiny blood-based RNA markers inside exosomes to catch pancreatic cancer early without invasive procedures.
-
Programmable implanted living materials to fight pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing program will explore a safe, implantable living material that delivers sequential immunotherapies directly to pancreatic tumors to help fight cancer.
-
Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
A study exploring whether blocking the interaction between platelets and pancreatic cancer cells could slow cancer growth and spread and help identify new biomarkers.
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.