Chandan Guha, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., has received a five-year, $2.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate whether the complex DNA damage caused by carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) enhances the immune system’s response against pancreatic cancer. Dr. Guha is now leading a clinical trial studying CIRT’s effectiveness in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Using a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, Dr. Guha and colleagues will compare the immunological effectiveness of CIRT and X rays for treating both primary and metastatic disease.

The researchers will also assess whether combining CIRT with other immunotherapeutic strategies (check-point inhibitors and antigen-presentation activators) can improve results against pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Guha is professor and vice chair of radiation oncology at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of urology and of pathology at Einstein and director of Einstein’s Institute for Onco-physics. (1R01CA257509-01)