The National Cancer Institute (NCI), under the Cancer Treatment Research Federal Grant Program (CFDA 93.395), awarded Duke University a $656,237 Project Grant for the period of May 2024 through April 2029. The primary objective is to develop nucleic acid binding polymers that can safely and effectively scavenge extracellular nucleic acid-containing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to mitigate the activation of cancer cell migration and metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or surgery. Duke University is collaborating with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) on this project, with UCSD receiving a sub-award. The research aims to demonstrate that administering a second-generation nucleic acid scavenger during cancer treatment can limit the ability of cancer cells to respond and mobilize due to the release of proinflammatory DAMPs, thereby improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
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