Virus-based approach to open pancreatic tumors to treatment
Novel Strategies to Enhance Drug Delivery and Tumor Immunogenicity in Pancreatic Cancer
This project uses a redesigned cancer-killing virus that carries enzymes to break down the tough scar tissue around pancreatic tumors so drugs and immune cells can reach and kill the cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11380235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have pancreatic cancer, this research is developing an engineered oncolytic virus called VMG that selectively infects and kills tumor cells while carrying enzymes that digest the tumor’s dense stroma. In animal models the team has shown VMG can modulate the tumor immune environment and appears non-neurovirulent in toxicology tests. The planned work combines VMG oncolysis with expression of hyaluronidase and collagenase to improve viral spread, drug delivery, and immune cell access to tumors. The goal is to make resistant pancreatic tumors more visible to the immune system and more responsive to treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with dense, therapy-resistant tumors who might be eligible for future trials of virus-based therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types, those who are severely immunocompromised, or those ineligible for virus-based interventions would likely not benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help drugs and immune cells penetrate pancreatic tumors better, potentially improving treatment responses and survival.
How similar studies have performed: Oncolytic viruses have shown promise in some cancers and preclinical studies support stromal modulation, but combining a VSV-derived vector with stroma-degrading enzymes is novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagalo, Bolni Marius — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Nagalo, Bolni Marius
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.