# Development of Targeted Nanotechnology Platform for Pancreatic Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY · 2021 · $332,374

## Abstract

The management of pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is exceptionally difficult due to the extremely poor response to
available therapeutic modalities. Poor survival is primarily because of suboptimal drug delivery and chemo-
resistance due to excessive fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition (desmoplasia) in pancreatic tumors.
NF-κB, Wnt and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) are key oncogenic signaling pathways that are involved in PanCa
progression and chemo-resistance to drugs such as gemcitabine. Strategies for targeted suppression of these
key oncogenic pathways in PanCa tumors, including metastases, are not well developed. Recent studies
demonstrate that curcumin has potent inhibitory effects on aforementioned pathways and induces chemo-
sensitization in PanCa cells. However, curcumin has poor pharmacokinetics and modifications to curcumin are
needed for successful clinical use. Recently we have engineered a unique curcumin loaded multi-layered
magnetic nanoparticle (MNP-CUR) formulation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and therapeutic
applications (Patent # PCT/US2011/063723). Our overall goal is to develop new strategies for targeted
suppression of these key oncogenic signaling pathways in PanCa by utilizing a novel targeted magnetic
nanoparticle (MNP) formulation. Recently, we have identified a novel transmembrane mucin, MUC13, which is
highly expressed in PanCa but not in the normal pancreas. Additionally, we have generated novel monoclonal
and humanized anti-MUC13 antibodies that can be used for targeted tumor specific delivery of drug loaded
nanoparticles. Based on this compelling evidence we hypothesize that our novel antibody guided MNPs
will enhance bioavailability of curcumin in tumors to attenuate tumor growth and sensitize pancreatic
cancer cells to gemcitabine via suppression of NF-κB, Wnt, SHH signaling pathways and decreased
desmoplastic reaction. Recent studies suggest a major role for tumor-stromal (paracrine) cross-talk in the
pathobiology of PanCa. The accumulation of antibody guided MNP-CUR (Targeted Nanotechnology
Platform) within tumors/metastases will provide sustained release of curcumin which will regulate autocrine
and paracrine signaling between PanCa cells and stromal cells. The specific aims to test this hypothesis are: 1)
To investigate the effect of MNP-CUR formulation on the regulation of molecular interactions occurring within
the pancreatic tumor microenvironment; 2) To evaluate therapeutic and imaging efficacy of MNP-CUR
formulation in PanCa xenograft and transgenic (PDA.MUC1) mouse models; and 3) To determine the
theranostic efficacy of antibody guided MNP-CUR formulation in combination with gemcitabine in clinically
relevant mouse models. The overall objective of this project is to develop an innovative targeted therapeutic
and imaging approach for PanCa. Findings of this project will advance diagnosis and therapy of PanCa to
reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by this devastating disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9931148
- **Project number:** 5R01CA206069-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Subhash C. Chauhan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $332,374
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-19 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9931148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9931148, Development of Targeted Nanotechnology Platform for Pancreatic Cancer (5R01CA206069-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9931148. Licensed CC0.

---

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