Why is this research question important?
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with limited treatment options and low survival rates. Understanding KRAS mutations, which drive tumour growth, spread, and therapy resistance, is a key challenge.
Chanthirika Ragulan, who is supported by Professor Anguraj Sadanandam at The Institute of Cancer Research, is applying for fellowships to investigate how KRAS mutations contribute to immunotherapy resistance, aiming to reveal new insights into pancreatic tumour biology.
By targeting KRAS-driven resistance, the study seeks to develop effective immunotherapy strategies. The findings could lead to innovative treatments, offering hope for better outcomes in a cancer with minimal progress. Ultimately, this work aims to improve survival and quality of life for patients and families, advancing the fight against pancreatic cancer.
What is the project?
By targeting KRAS-driven resistance, the study seeks to develop effective immunotherapy strategies by:
- Understanding how KRAS mutations, like KrasG12D, alter tumour growth and help tumours survive by evading the immune system.
- Examining how KRAS mutations hinder the immune system by blocking immune cells from entering tumours and increasing substances (e.g., cytokines) that weaken immune responses.
- Investigating why tumours with KRAS mutations resist immunotherapy, focusing on how these genetic changes drive treatment failure.
How could the outcomes of this project make a difference to people with pancreatic cancer?
By uncovering immunotherapy resistance, the team can develop a treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer. This could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects than chemotherapy. These findings also open the door to personalised treatments tailored to each patient’s tumour.
Next steps
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
If you would like to give your feedback on this project, please contact the Research Team (research@pancreaticcancer.org.uk) quoting the involvement reference ‘Ragulan’. We will then email you the project summary to read along with specific questions Chanthirika would like you to consider.
Please return your responses to the research team by Sunday 9th February 2025.
