# Washington University SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer

> **NIH NIH P50** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $2,091,214

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Washington University Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Pancreatic Cancer is a
highly translational cancer research program focused entirely on the deadliest form of the disease, pancreatic
ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Our outstanding investigators have complementary expertise in basic and
clinical studies, and our teams leverage individual expertise in immunology, cancer biology, drug development,
genomics, and clinical care to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PDAC.
 This SPORE application includes three research projects, an administrative core (Core A), two shared-
resource cores [Biospecimen Core (Core B) and Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core (Core C)], and
developmental research (DRP) and career enhancement (CEP) programs. In collaboration with our External
(EAB) and Internal (IAB) Advisory Boards, we intentionally selected projects with the greatest potential to impact
the outcome for patients with PDAC. Basic research at WUSM and UPenn has led to the development of the
following three research projects, all of which feature innovative investigator-initiated therapeutic trials for PDAC.
All projects deemed to have the most potential for translational impact and share an immunologic theme in their
approach. This immunologic theme leverages institutional strengths and highlights our team’s expertise and
leadership in this field. Thus far, the immunologic and metabolic therapies that have been increasingly successful
for controlling other cancer types have not been impactful in PDAC. Our project leaders have made noteworthy
contributions to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this immunologic resistance and drug resistance in PDAC
and developed several exciting strategies with potential to overcome these obstacles. The three projects in this
application are designed to have significant potential to change clinical practice within 5 years.
Project 1. Employing CD11b-agonists to render PDAC responsive to immunotherapy
Project 2. Mechanisms of Resistance to Neoantigen Vaccines in PDAC
Project 3. Targeting Stress-induced MK2 as Novel Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer
 Our long-term goals are to improve the survival and the quality of life of patients diagnosed with PDAC. To
achieve this goal, we will promote institutional and inter-institutional collaborative research, with an emphasis on
translation. We anticipate that no singular approach will solve PDAC and fully commit to supporting the
development of novel research concepts as well as highly promising young investigators. Our SPORE will
provide access to pancreatic cancer–specific resources to facilitate this mission.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10916333
- **Project number:** 5P50CA272213-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** David G DeNardo
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $2,091,214
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-28 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10916333

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10916333, Washington University SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer (5P50CA272213-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10916333. Licensed CC0.

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