Overview

• University of Cincinnati researchers report that cancer‑secreted Hsp70 engages TLR2 to drive MerTK‑mediated immunosuppression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
• The team developed SapC‑DOPG, a lipid nanovesicle that binds phosphatidylserine on tumor cells and is designed to target Hsp70 within PDAC cells.
• In PDAC animal models, SapC‑DOPG was well tolerated, reduced tumor size, and extended survival.
• The mechanism and therapeutic data were published in two Cancers papers earlier in 2025, and Ahmet Kaynak is slated to present the findings at AACR’s Pancreatic Cancer conference on Sept. 28 in Boston.
• Investigators aim to move toward clinical testing and note a related agent, SapC‑DOPS, is already in Phase 2 trials for lung cancer.