Using genetically engineered pigs to improve pancreatic cancer treatments and devices
Porcine Platforms For Technology Development In Pancreatic Cancer
This project uses genetically engineered pigs to try out new treatments and endoscopic tools that could help people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249609 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a transgenic "Oncopig" that carries human-like KRAS and p53 changes to grow pancreatic tumors that behave more like human disease. They will model the full care sequence including pre-surgery therapy, surgery, and recovery to see if the pig replicates human treatment pathways. The team will also test two new endoscopic imaging and treatment devices that require the pig's size to be used safely. Results are intended to make preclinical testing more predictive before moving promising approaches into human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic cancer or those at high risk could benefit indirectly because the work aims to improve future treatments and medical devices for these groups.
Not a fit: Patients seeking a new therapy today should not expect direct participation or immediate clinical benefit from this animal-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed up and improve the safety of developing new pancreatic cancer treatments and devices for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Mouse models have been widely used but often fail to mimic human pancreatic tumors well, so this pig-based approach is relatively new and promising though not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollingsworth, Michael a. — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hollingsworth, Michael a.
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 below.