Using immune cells to fight pancreatic cancer
Official title: Harnessing Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cells for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11003693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with pancreatic cancer by using special immune cells that target a common virus, aiming to boost the body's ability to fight the cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | December 22, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $190,283 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA286198-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003693 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 enhanced immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pancreatic cancer who do not have a sufficient immune response or those with other types of cancer may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel immunotherapy approach for pancreatic cancer by utilizing T-cells that specifically target cytomegalovirus (CMV). The study aims to enhance the immune response against pancreatic tumors by delivering neoantigens through a specialized peptide that helps these antigens penetrate tumor tissues. By activating CMV-specific T-cells, the research seeks to redirect the body's existing antiviral immunity to attack cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients with this challenging disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new immunotherapy option for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates and treatment efficacy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using immune responses against viral components to treat cancers, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hurtado de Mendoza, Tatiana — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hurtado de Mendoza, Tatiana
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
A new oncolytic virus designed to target pancreatic cancer is being developed to help patients by boosting immune response and overcoming treatment resistance.
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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.