Integrated Stem Cell-Targeted Chemotherapy Coupled with Vaccine Platform–Mediated Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

April 28, 2025- Ames, IA – Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers, ranking as the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. One of the greatest challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is its late-stage diagnosis, often occurring after the cancer has already metastasized. Conventional therapies have shown limited effectiveness, frequently resulting in adverse side effects and drug resistance without significantly improving patient survival. The dense stromal tissue, poor vascularization, and rapid development of drug resistance, along with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, present major challenges for treating pancreatic cancer.

To address these challenges, Dr. Susheel Kumar Nethi, Research Scientist II at Iowa State University was awarded a two-year $120,000 grant from the Margaret B. Barry Cancer Research Program. Dr. Nethi, alongside co-investigator Dr. Doug Jones, Professor of Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University, will explore a promising new therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer that integrates stem cell-based targeted chemotherapy with a novel vaccine platform-driven immunotherapy.

“These stem cells could serve as targeted delivery vehicles, homing to the tumor site and precisely releasing chemotherapeutics, minimizing off-target adverse effects to healthy tissues,’ says Dr. Nethi.

In combination with targeted chemotherapy, the study also addresses developing a vaccine platform that primes the immune system against mucin-4, a glycoprotein that facilitates tumor progression and immune evasion in pancreatic cancer. This approach is designed not only to reduce tumor burden but also to activate the immune system to combat cancer more effectively over time.

By integrating tumor-targeted therapy with priming the immune system, this dual-modality treatment has the potential to significantly enhance treatment precision, reduce side effects, and improve long-term survival outcomes in patients facing pancreatic cancer. This promising research underscores the potential of combining cellular engineering with immunotherapy in the fight against one of the most treatment-resistant cancers and marks an important step forward in personalized cancer care.

The Margaret B. Barry Cancer Research Program Award, administered by the Iowa State University Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), is presented annually to faculty or professional and scientific (P&S) researchers in support of advancing cancer research. This award was made possible through a generous estate gift from Ms. Margaret Barry, whose vision was to drive progress in cancer research, particularly within the College of Veterinary Medicine. The award may also fund collaborative research efforts between the College of Veterinary Medicine and other departments across the university.

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Article written by Pradeepa Sukumaran, Program Specialist I