Understanding what drives metastasis in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Elucidating determinants of metastasis suppression in pancreatic cancer
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11377200 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $243,589 |
| NIH project number | 5R00CA266939-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377200 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or related genetic profiles may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient intervention is involved in this early-stage, mentored research.
What this research studies
A postdoctoral project at MSKCC/University of Chicago investigates how common genetic changes in pancreatic cancer contribute to its ability to spread. The work uses new mouse models to test how loss of Smad4 and Cdkn2a alterations promote metastasis and how restoring Smad4 could hinder it. The researcher plans a mentored, stepwise pathway to independence that includes mentorship, new skills, career development, and launching their own lab. The goal is to translate basic discoveries into therapies that can reduce metastasis and improve survival for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets to block metastasis and guide the development of therapies for pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that certain genetic changes can influence metastasis in PDAC, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsanov, Kaloyan M. — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tsanov, Kaloyan M.
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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.