Using electric pulses to destroy pancreatic tumors and boost the immune response
Official title: Optimization of High Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE) for tumor ablation and immune system activation in pancreatic cancer applications
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11053337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by using electric pulses to help kill cancer cells and boost the immune system, with the hope of improving treatment outcomes for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $516,873 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA274439-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who may benefit from innovative treatment approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose pancreatic cancer is at an advanced stage with no viable treatment options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel treatment for pancreatic cancer using High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE), which involves delivering electric pulses directly into tumors to induce cancer cell death. The study aims to understand how different pulse parameters affect the cancer cells and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this technique in preclinical models. By focusing on both tumor ablation and the activation of the immune system, the research seeks to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to gather essential data that will support future clinical trials in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates and reducing recurrence.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using electroporation for tumor ablation is emerging, this specific application in pancreatic cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Irving C — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Allen, Irving C
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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.