Vitamin B6 and natural killer cell function in pancreatic cancer
Vitamin B6 Modulates NK Cell Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer
Looks at whether vitamin B6 can help natural killer (NK) immune cells better fight pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169840 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines how low vitamin B6 in the pancreatic tumor environment may weaken NK cells that normally kill cancer cells. Researchers will use lab-grown pancreatic tumor organoids and co-culture them with NK cells to study metabolic changes and immune activity. They will test whether restoring vitamin B6 improves NK cell energy use and their ability to destroy tumor cells, using tumor tissue and blood samples as models. The work aims to find ways to make NK-cell–based approaches more effective for people with pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially those willing to provide tumor tissue or blood samples or to join future NK-cell therapy trials, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers other than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or those not eligible for NK-cell–based treatments are less likely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify a simple metabolic change that boosts NK cell anti-tumor activity and informs new or improved NK-cell therapies for pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows altering immune-cell metabolism can enhance cancer killing, but applying vitamin B6 modulation to NK cells in pancreatic cancer is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehla, Kamiya — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mehla, Kamiya
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.