Why GNAS-mutated pancreatic tumors grow
Investigating the molecular mechanisms of growth in GNAS mutant pancreatic cancer.
This project seeks ways to stop pancreatic cancers with GNAS mutations by targeting the cAMP/PKA signaling and the altered metabolism that help them grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141254 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a doxycycline-controlled mouse model that carries the cancer-linked GNAS mutation together with KRAS and p53 changes to mimic human IPMN-derived pancreatic cancer. They study how the mutant GNAS protein activates cAMP/PKA signaling which suppresses salt-inducible kinases (SIK1-3) and rewires tumor metabolism to fuel growth. The team tests drugs and genetic tools that block parts of this signaling and the metabolic pathways in cells and mice to see if tumors shrink or stop growing. Because GNAS-mutant cancer cells appear more sensitive to these interventions than GNAS-wild-type tumors, the work aims to identify candidate targets for future clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors are tested and found to carry activating GNAS mutations (often seen in IPMN-associated cancers) would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack GNAS mutations or whose disease depends on different pathways are less likely to benefit from therapies developed here.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted treatments for patients whose pancreatic tumors have GNAS mutations.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work, including these mouse models, has already shown that blocking PKA/SIK-related metabolic pathways can slow GNAS-mutant tumor growth, but human effectiveness remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patra, Krushna Chandra — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Patra, Krushna Chandra
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.