The link between nerves and the microenvironment in pancreatic cancer

The project

By combining a strategy looking at the interactions between nerves and the tumor microenvironment Dr Sara Caxaria from Queen Mary University of London hopes to exploit the interactions between different components that are known to be important for cancer development, progression and treatment.

The distribution of nerves has been shown to drive cancer and control the interaction between cancer microenvironment and immune cells, making it a highly relevant target to study if she is to advance the knowledge of pancreatic cancer disease mechanisms.

Pain is the most important symptom in pancreatic cancer and uncovering its link with changes in the nerve distribution and disease progression also opens new avenues for diagnostic strategies and pain management.

Dr Caxaria is looking to meet with members of the Research Involvement Network to get your input on the relevance of her project in the form of an online focus group. She is looking to hold the focus group in January or February 2025.

Next steps

Focus groups consist of small groups of RIN members along with the researcher. They are opportunities to find out more about a project, ask questions of the researcher and for the researcher to hear what you think about their project based on your personal experiences.

No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.

If you are interested in being a part of this focus group, please contact the Dr Sara Caxaria (s.caxaria@qmul.ac.uk) quoting the involvement reference ‘RIN focus group’.