Using a new drug to block a protein in pancreatic cancer treatment
Official title: ULK1 Inhibitor in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Blockade in PancreaticCancer
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-10752658 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new drug called ULK-101 that might help make cancer treatments work better for people with pancreatic cancer by blocking a protein that helps cancer cells survive, and it aims to see if this combination can shrink tumors and improve health outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | December 9, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,764 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA270588-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10752658 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a novel drug, ULK-101, which inhibits a protein involved in autophagy, a process that cancer cells use to survive. By blocking this protein, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The approach focuses on understanding how this combination can reduce tumor growth and improve patient outcomes. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options and survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of autophagy inhibitors in cancer treatment is a growing area of interest, this specific approach with ULK-101 is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackeigan, Jeffrey Paul — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Mackeigan, Jeffrey Paul
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.