The project
Pancreatic cancer is extremely hard to treat because tumours build triple defences: they grow fast, hide from the immune system, and surround themselves with scar tissue that blocks medicines. Seven in ten patients have a faulty TP53 gene that drives all three problems.
Dr Raghed Qadadeh and Professor Wafa Al-Jamal developing smart nanoparticles (similar to COVID vaccine technology) that deliver two genetic tools together to fix the faulty gene and break down scar tissue. They will add vitamin D to guide them to the pancreas, then activate the immune system with targeted medicines. This triple-action approach tackles the cancer, barrier, and immune weakness simultaneously
What are they going to do?
In this study they are creating vitamin‑D–guided nanoparticles (similar to those used in COVID‑19 vaccines) carrying two genetic tools. Vitamin D directs them to pancreatic tumours. Once there, one tool switches off the faulty TP53 that helps cancer grow and evade immunity; the other delivers a healthy TP53 message to restore tumour‑suppressor function. They will ’ll test this in 3D lab models of cancer, scar‑forming and immune cells to see if it kills cancer, softens scar barriers, and activates immunity, then in tumour‑bearing mice to measure tumour shrinkage and immune responses.
Why is this research important?
Pancreatic cancer often can’t be removed by surgery, chemotherapy adds only months with harsh side effects, and current immunotherapies rarely work because tumours stay “invisible.” Their treatment targets the faulty TP53 gene causing this resistance in seven out of ten patients.
If successful, they could offer the first therapy that fixes the underlying genetic problem, breaks down protective barriers, and activates immune defences together. This could extend survival, improve quality of life, and make immunotherapy finally work for pancreatic cancer patients.
How to get involved
The team would welcome perspectives from anyone with personal experience of pancreatic cancer, regardless of stage of disease, time since diagnosis, or treatment received. They particularly value input from those who have experience with treatment decisions, clinical trials, or navigating the healthcare system.
This involves reading their document and answering some questions on it. This is completed anonymously and electronically. If you are interested in taking part please email the Research Team (research@pancreaticcancer.org.uk) quoting the involvement reference ‘Guardian Gene document review’
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
