# Project 2

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $204,240

## Abstract

Project Summary
FLASH radiotherapy is an exciting potentially transformative innovation in radiation therapy with potential to
ablate tumors at ultra-high dose rates without significantly damaging nearby normal tissues. FLASH radiotherapy
could become the optimal or perfect radiotherapy approach for treating pancreatic cancer at ablative biologically
effective doses of over 100 Gy, by overcoming the current dose-limits of neighboring normal organs, specifically
stomach and bowel. Recent studies have also indicated that FLASH radiotherapy can make the tumor
microenvironment more immunogenic. Hence, radio-immunotherapy combining FLASH radiotherapy and
immunotherapy to cause regression of both locally irradiated and distantly unirradiated/metastatic tumors would
be an excellent option for treating pancreatic cancer. In this project we propose the development of a PERFECT
(Proton Enhanced Radio-immunotherapy with FLASH Effect in Cancer Treatment) approach for pancreatic
cancer, integrating the use of smart radiotherapy biomaterials (SRBs) to sustainably deliver synergistic
immunotherapy. The overall hypothesis for this project is that the PERFECT approach for pancreatic cancer will
significantly increase survival and quality of life with minimal toxicities or side effects. The project milestones
include publishing optimal parameters for maximizing effectiveness of the PERFECT approach and publishing
comprehensive safety and pharmacokinetics data needed for clinical translation. The highest significance of this
approach is anticipated in significantly increasing survival and quality of life for pancreatic cancer, where current
survival options are limited and prognosis is poor. The approach is also expected to significantly reduce treatment
time and costs, with potential to reduce disparities in access to treatment. The project will involve collaborations
between faculty at Howard University and neighboring Johns Hopkins with complementary expertise for carrying
out the project and mentorship/research education of trainees from both institutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11012039
- **Project number:** 1U54CA295336-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Wilfred Ngwa
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $204,240
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-20 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11012039

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11012039, Project 2 (1U54CA295336-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-09-03 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11012039. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*