Using tumor gene patterns to choose the best chemotherapy
Project 3: Transcriptomic subtypes, response predictions, and therapy selection
This project will use a tumor gene test (PurIST) to help doctors choose which first-line chemotherapy is most likely to work for people with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196748 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a small sample of your tumor tested for its gene-expression subtype using the CLIA-approved PurIST test. Doctors would use that subtype information to guide whether to start FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) as first-line treatment. The team found that the "basal" subtype often does not respond to FOLFIRINOX but may respond better to GnP, and they plan to apply this knowledge prospectively. Care and testing will be coordinated through UNC Chapel Hill and partner clinical sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who are starting first-line chemotherapy and can provide a tumor sample for gene-expression testing are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer, those not receiving systemic chemotherapy, or those without available tumor tissue for testing are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people with metastatic pancreatic cancer get the chemotherapy that gives them a better chance of responding and avoiding ineffective treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior trial analyses and retrospective work showed subtype-linked differences in response and the PurIST classifier has been replicated and CLIA-approved, but using it prospectively to pick first-line chemo is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Jen Jen — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Jen Jen
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.