Pilot Project 8

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, remains one of the deadliest cancers. Major differences also exist among racial and ethnic groups in how often the disease occurs, the treatments patients receive, and their chances of survival. This pilot project brings together researchers from Florida A&M University (FAMU), the University of Florida (UF), and the University of Southern California (USC) to better understand why pancreatic tumors from different patients respond differently to treatment.

The first part of the project will develop two laboratory systems using pancreatic cancer cells donated by patients. In one system, researchers will use three-dimensional bioprinting to combine miniature pancreatic tumors, called organoids, with supporting cells that are normally found around tumors. This model will more closely reproduce the environment of a tumor in the human body and allow researchers to test commonly used treatments under consistent conditions.

The second system, called a “village” assay, will grow cancer cells from several donors together in the same laboratory environment. Researchers will then track how cells from each donor grow and respond to treatment. Testing multiple donors together will make it easier to identify true patient-to-patient differences while reducing variation caused by conducting experiments at different times or under different conditions.

The project will also examine the biological reasons some pancreatic cancers respond to chemotherapy while others resist it. Researchers will combine measurements of tumor growth and survival with several types of molecular information, including genetic activity and changes that affect how genes are turned on or off. These findings may reveal biological pathways and measurable indicators, or biomarkers, that help predict whether a patient’s cancer is likely to respond to a particular treatment.

Finally, the research team will explore a possible strategy for overcoming treatment resistance. The investigators will engineer tiny naturally occurring particles called exosomes to carry molecules that can adjust the activity of specific genes involved in drug resistance. These targeted particles will be tested in patient-derived tumor models, both alone and with chemotherapy, to determine whether they can make resistant cancer cells more sensitive to treatment.

This collaboration will establish shared laboratory procedures, data practices, research milestones, and training opportunities across FAMU, UF, and USC. Expected products include well-characterized patient-derived tumor models, standardized testing and analysis methods, possible biomarkers of treatment response, and promising molecular targets for future study. The project will also strengthen cancer research capacity at FAMU, a minority-serving institution, while drawing on specialized expertise and technologies from all three universities.

By combining patient-relevant tumor models, advanced molecular analysis, and experimental treatment strategies, this project will create a strong foundation for larger studies. Ultimately, the research may help explain patient-to-patient differences in pancreatic cancer treatment response and support the development of more effective and equitable therapies.