NIH-funded research R01 grant

ZC3H15 in pancreatic cancer growth and treatment response

Official title: Role of ZC3H15 in Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Response

Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11433670 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study exploring how the protein ZC3H15 affects the progression of pancreatic cancer and how it responds to therapies, with the goal of helping patients with this very deadly cancer.

More Pancreatic Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oklahoma City, United States)
Project startJune 15, 2026
Project endMay 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$407,726
NIH project number1R01CA316828-01
Project IDNIH-11433670 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients whose cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and whose tumors express ZC3H15 or are likely to have therapy-resistant disease.

Less likely to help

If pancreatic tumors do not involve ZC3H15 or do not respond to the proposed strategies, patients may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at why pancreatic cancer is so hard to treat by focusing on ZC3H15, a protein found more in therapy‑resistant tumors. Researchers will use a combination of lab methods, including analyzing RNA and metabolites and testing effects in model systems, to understand how ZC3H15 drives tumor growth and treatment response. The work aims to identify new ways to slow cancer or improve how existing therapies work for patients with PDAC. The study builds on prior findings that link high ZC3H15 levels to worse survival and therapy resistance. If successful, the research could point to new treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer patients who currently have limited options.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: It could lead to new targets or combinations that improve survival and response to therapy for pancreatic cancer patients.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests ZC3H15 is linked to tumor growth and therapy resistance, supporting the potential of this approach but with ongoing need for validation.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
    Oklahoma City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Shukla, Surendra K — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Shukla, Surendra K

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.