# Deiminated molecules as markers for developing pancreatic cancer - A1

> **NIH NIH R21** · MAYO CLINIC  JACKSONVILLE · 2024 · $182,909

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) carries a dismal prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms that lead
to the development of pancreatic cancer and to identify markers that distinguish between non-cancerous and
cancerous lesions is the greatest hope for early detection and early treatment of patients. This proposal
focusses on identifying early detection markers that would allow resection of tumors at a time point where they
are still local. It is our hypothesis that pancreatic high-grade lesions significantly distinguish from low-
grade lesions by expressing PADI1. We further hypothesize that PADI1 and its citrullinated substrates
can be detected in pancreatic biopsy and may form a panel of markers specific for early detection of
PDA. To test this we will: verify PADI1 as a specific marker for HG lesions and test its presence in liquid
biopsies (Specific Aim 1); characterize citrullinated fibrinogen as a PADI1 substrate and marker for pancreatic
cancer (Specific Aim 2); and identify pancreas cancer specific PADI1-citrullinated substrates (intracellular and
secreted) in lesions and in liquid biopsy (Specific Aim 3). Successful completion of our project will identify
secreted protein markers that are detectable in easily accessible liquid biopsy (blood serum) and distinguish
between pancreatic non-cancerous lesions and PanIN3 (carcinoma in situ) and PDA lesions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10780974
- **Project number:** 1R21CA279916-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC  JACKSONVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Storz
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $182,909
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-12-15 → 2025-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10780974

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10780974, Deiminated molecules as markers for developing pancreatic cancer - A1 (1R21CA279916-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10780974. Licensed CC0.

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