Using tiny nanoparticles to enhance treatment for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Stroma-penetrating nanomedicine to improve treatment for pancreatic cancer
Funded at Duo Oncology INC · NIH-10818857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new tiny medicine that helps deliver cancer drugs more effectively to people with pancreatic cancer, making treatments work better by getting through the tough tissue around tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duo Oncology INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,970 |
| NIH project number | 1R41CA278033-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10818857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer who are unable to undergo surgical resection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those whose tumors are amenable to surgical removal may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of nanomedicine designed to improve the delivery of cancer drugs specifically for pancreatic cancer patients. The approach involves creating an ultrasmall nanoparticle that can penetrate the dense fibrous tissue surrounding pancreatic tumors, which often hinders the effectiveness of current treatments. By combining gemcitabine and paclitaxel in a single nanoparticle, the research aims to enhance drug delivery and improve patient outcomes. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of this innovative treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment efficacy and survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with nanomedicine approaches in other cancers, but this specific application for pancreatic cancer is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duo Oncology INC
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eichinger, Katherine Marie — Duo Oncology INC
- Study coordinator: Eichinger, Katherine Marie
Related research
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Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer
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Targeting how platelets and pancreatic cancer talk to each other
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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.