Using ultrasound and immunotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer
HIFU-immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer
This study is testing a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by using focused ultrasound to help deliver immune-boosting drugs, hoping to make your body fight the cancer better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10878008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel treatment approach for pancreatic cancer that combines high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with immunotherapy agents, specifically TLR7/8 agonists and CD40 antibodies. The goal is to enhance the immune response against pancreatic tumors by using ultrasound to improve drug delivery and activate immune cells. The study builds on promising results from previous human studies and aims to overcome challenges related to the dense tumor environment that limits treatment effectiveness. Patients may receive a combination of therapies designed to stimulate their immune system and directly target cancer cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who have not responded to standard treatments or are seeking new therapeutic options.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies combining immunotherapy with other treatment modalities have shown promising results, indicating that this approach may be effective, although the specific combination being tested here is novel.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferrara, Katherine W — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Ferrara, Katherine W
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.