Using a new drug to help pancreatic cancer respond to immunotherapy

Project 1: Employing CD11b-Agonists to Render PDAC Responsive to Immunotherapy

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11187264

This project gives a drug called GB1275 together with chemotherapy and a PD-1 immunotherapy to people with metastatic pancreatic cancer to boost the immune attack on tumors.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11187264 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, doctors will give a CD11b-agonist called GB1275 along with standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and Abraxane) and a PD-1 blocking immunotherapy. They will monitor safety with regular visits, scans, and blood tests to see how tumors respond. The team will collect blood and tumor samples to measure drug exposure and immune changes. Lab analyses will examine tumor and immune features that might explain who benefits or becomes resistant.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are eligible for gemcitabine/Abraxane and PD-1 therapy and meet safety requirements could be candidates.

Not a fit: People with early-stage pancreatic cancer, those who cannot tolerate chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or those with serious medical problems that prevent trial participation are unlikely to benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make immunotherapy work for some people with pancreatic cancer, improving tumor control and survival.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse and laboratory studies showed that CD11b agonists like GB1275 can reprogram suppressive immune cells and, combined with PD-1 blockers, cause tumor regression, but clear benefits in people remain to be shown.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.