Using electrical pulses to enhance cancer immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Development of irreversible electroporation-based rational combinations to potentiate the activity of cancer immunotherapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11017042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using electrical pulses to destroy pancreatic cancer cells, along with immune therapy, might help make the cancer more responsive to treatment and improve survival for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $520,132 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA258540-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have not responded adequately to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how irreversible electroporation (IRE), a technique that uses electrical pulses to destroy tumor cells, can be combined with immunotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The approach aims to convert PDAC tumors, which typically do not respond well to immune therapies, into more responsive 'hot' tumors. By analyzing immune cell behavior and tumor metabolism, the researchers hope to identify ways to enhance the effectiveness of this combination therapy, potentially leading to better survival rates for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment options and survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results using similar approaches to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness in other cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Chun — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Li, Chun
Related research
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Combining a targeted tumor‑ablation technique with immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Seeing if pairing irreversible electroporation (a focused tumor‑destroying procedure) with immune‑boosting drugs can help people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma respond better to treatment.
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This study is looking at why some people with pancreatic cancer benefit from immunotherapy while others don’t, and it aims to find better treatment combinations that can help boost the immune system's fight against this tough cancer.
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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.