Research
Funding
MakesChemotherapy Breakthroughs Possible
Aggressive cancers, like pancreatic cancer, are notoriously difficult to treat because the tumors are shielded by dense tissue barriers, making them impenetrable by standard therapies. Duo Oncology, a startup led by Pitt researcher Song Li, is working to bring an ultra-small chemotherapy delivery system to patients and support economic growth in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Li鈥檚 lab has created nanoparticles that can penetrate tumor shields and deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells, while avoiding healthy tissues. In preclinical studies, the approach significantly improved drug delivery and tumor response compared to conventional treatments.
Duo Oncology clinical trials are also targeting other hard-to-treat cancers like bile duct, lung and breast cancer.
This groundbreaking work is possible because of early research funding and continued investment to bring this life-saving innovation to patients and transform cancer care.