Using engineered immune cells to target pancreatic cancer
Official title: TROP2-Directed CAR-NK Cells for the Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11067768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for pancreatic cancer that uses specially modified immune cells to better target and attack cancer cells, aiming to create a safe and effective option that can be used for many patients without needing to make individual doses.
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 | April 5, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $370,575 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288617-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer by using genetically modified natural killer (NK) cells that specifically target a protein called TROP2. The approach involves enhancing the NK cells' ability to attack cancer cells while ensuring their safety and effectiveness. By utilizing cord blood-derived NK cells, the study aims to create a universal treatment option that can be administered to multiple patients without the need for individual cell manufacturing. The research will explore how to improve the persistence and potency of these NK cells in the challenging environment of pancreatic tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with CAR-NK cell therapies in other types of cancers, indicating 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: Basar, Rafet — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Basar, Rafet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how T cell receptors affect pancreatic cancer immunotherapy
A cancer research grant is exploring how specific T cells recognize pancreatic cancer and how that recognition might predict or improve responses to immunotherapy.
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Novel virus therapy to help pancreatic cancer patients fight their disease
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Recombinant IL-33 Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
A new immunotherapy approach using recombinant IL-33 aims to help people with pancreatic cancer by activating immune cells inside tumors to fight the cancer.
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Blocking VIP signaling to help the immune system fight pancreatic cancer
This grant tests a new approach aimed at helping the immune system attack pancreatic cancer by blocking a signaling pathway that's dampening immune responses in tumors.
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Engineering smart nanoparticles to help the immune system fight pancreatic cancer
Aims to use tiny, specially designed particles to deliver cancer-fighting drugs and immune-boosting signals to pancreatic tumors to help the body attack the cancer.
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TROP2-targeting CAR-NK therapy for pancreatic cancer
This project develops an off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy engineered to target the TROP2 protein on pancreatic cancer cells.
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.