Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research and providing support to patients and their families.

Donate
  • ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
    • Agi’s Story
    • About Us →
      • Mission
      • Directors/Trustees
      • Scientific Advisory Board
      • How Our Journey Began
    • News →
      • Latest News
      • Research News
      • Foundation News
      • UCLA Activity Summary Reports
      • Newsletters
      • Press Room
    • Contact
  • PANCREATIC CANCER
    • About the Pancreas →
      • The Pancreas
      • Cancer Cells
      • Risk Factors
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Staging
      • Second Opinion
    • Treatment Options →
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Targeted Therapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Alternative Treatment Options
      • Clinical Trials
    • Supportive Care →
      • Obstructions
      • Pain Control
      • Nutrition
      • Cannabis
      • Palliative Care
    • Pancreatic Cancer Facts
    • Glossary of Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • RESEARCH
    • Seed Grant Program →
      • Seed Grant Recipients
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Seed Grant News
    • UCLA Program →
      • UCLA Center for Pancreatic Diseases
      • Basic Research
      • Translational Research
      • Sahin-Toth Laboratory
      • UCLA Pancreas Tissue Bank
      • UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium
      • Simms/Mann Psychosocial →
        • Insights into Cancer
    • American Pancreatic Association
    • NIH Funded Projects
  • PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS
    • Patient Support
    • Where to Begin
    • Caregivers & Families
    • Symposium →
      • Symposium Presentations
    • Patient & Family Webinars
    • Genetic Counseling
    • Resources →
      • NCCN Guidelines for Patients
      • Patient Support Tools
      • Create Your Health Care Team
      • Patient Health Diaries
      • Support Groups
      • Financial Aid
  • HOW YOU CAN HELP
    • Planned Giving
    • Donor-Advised Funds
    • Event Calendar
    • Get Inspired
    • Fundraising Resources
    • November Awareness Month →
      • World Pancreatic Cancer Day
    • More Ways to Give →
      • You Can Help Funds
      • Host Your Own Event
      • Shop Online Store
      • Wedding Program
      • Volunteer
      • Car Program
  • SEARCH
Home / Research / Seed Grant Program / Seed Grant Recipients / Vanaja Konduri, Ph.D.

Vanaja Konduri, Ph.D.

Vanaja Konduri, Ph.D.
Vanaja Konduri, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pathology & Immunology

Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX

Cytotoxic effector memory CAR-T cells in conjunction with cholecystokinin receptor antagonist combination immunotherapy for PDAC

Overview

Aim: Therapy

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with very poor survival. New combination treatment options are needed to treat this aggressive cancer. CAR-T cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen-receptor-T cell therapy) is a novel treatment that has been successful in treating some of the aggressive blood cancers, but so far very limited success was achieved against pancreatic cancer. We have previously identified a specific population of immune cells called cytotoxic T cells with high memory capacity as candidates for CAR-T cell therapy against pancreatic cancer. In our preclinical studies, mice harboring pancreatic tumors were treated with cytotoxic CAR-T cells and compared with mice that were treated with standard CAR-T cells. Cytotoxic CAR-T cells not only killed the tumors faster, but improved survival compared to the regular CAR-T cells. However, pancreatic tumors are very dense and fibrotic and often prevent immune cells from reaching the tumors. In the current proposal, we aim to combine the CAR-T cells with agents that will make the tumor less fibrotic and more favorable for CAR-T cell penetration. Proglumide is one such agent that has been shown to reduce fibrosis in pancreatic tumors in the past. It has been also shown that proglumide is safe and when used in combination with other treatments, controls tumor burden and improves survival. Therefore, we hope that combining proglumide treatment with highly cytotoxic CAR-T cells will make the tumors less fibrotic, thus more immune cells infiltrate, eventually suppressing the metastasis and improving the overall survival with this novel combination therapy against pancreatic cancer.

Patient Support Resources

from the comfort of your home


Our Webinar Library »

Never Give Up.
The journey continues with an end in sight.
Our Stories »
SUBSCRIBE
Our Free E-Newsletter
Sign up to receive information on breaking news, patient programs and upcoming events.
You can custom tailor your subscriptions and unsubscribe at any time.
  • How You Can Help
  • Make A Donation
  • Host an Event
  • Shop Online Store
  • Signature Events
  • L.A. Cancer Challenge
  • Tour De Pier
  • Hirshberg Training Team
  • More
  • News
  • Press
  • Contact

Stay Connected

Join Our E-newsletter

  • Legal and Privacy
  • Financial Information
  • Contact