Using a new drug to help pancreatic cancer respond to immunotherapy
Official title: Project 1: Employing CD11b-Agonists to Render PDAC Responsive to Immunotherapy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11187264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $377,428 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA272213-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are eligible for gemcitabine/Abraxane and PD-1 therapy and meet safety requirements could be candidates.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denardo, David G — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Denardo, David G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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CD11b-activating drug to make pancreatic cancer respond to immunotherapy
A study to see if a CD11b-activating drug (GB1275) can help pancreatic cancer patients respond better to immunotherapy when combined with standard chemotherapy and PD-1 blockers.
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This project looks at whether differences in tumor genes change the immune environment in pancreatic cancer and whether treatments that target macrophages might help certain patients.
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Improving pancreatic cancer treatment by normalizing tumor environment with nanoparticles
This study is looking at a new way to help people with pancreatic cancer by using tiny particles to deliver special treatments that can make the tumor environment easier for other therapies to work, with the hope of improving how well chemotherapy and immunotherapy can fight the cancer.
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How tumor genetics affect immune responses in pancreatic cancer treatment
This study is looking at how the genes of pancreatic cancer tumors affect the immune system around them, which could help us understand why some treatments don’t work and lead to better therapies for patients battling this tough cancer.
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Using CD11b-Agonists to Make Pancreatic Cancer Treatable with Immunotherapy
This study is exploring a new way to boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer by using a special drug called GB1275 to help your immune cells work better, and it’s for patients who are looking for improved treatment options.
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.