Research

What research is being done for pancreatic cancer treatments and screenings today? The next life-saving treatment for the disease may be on the horizon. These articles highlight the latest in pancreatic cancer research.

362 Articles

Dr. Erkut Borazanci
Research
March 31, 2017 • 4 Min

Clinical Trial of Immunotherapy Plus Sunshine Vitamin May Help in Pancreatic Cancer Fight

Can vitamin D make it easier for chemotherapy drugs to reach the pancreatic cancer tumor? A clinical trial is testing this idea.

Microscope image of a cross section of circular pancreas cells with lighter centers, stained pink
Research
March 23, 2017 • 2 Min

Two Types of Immunotherapy for Surgically Removable Pancreatic Cancer

A clinical trial compares the effectiveness of two different types of immunotherapy with standard treatment after pancreatic cancer surgery.

photo of yellow pills in silver bubble packets
Research
March 10, 2017 • 2 Min

Maintenance Chemotherapy for Stable Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

A clinical trial tests the diabetes drug metformin and transplant rejection preventative rapamycin to act as maintenance chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

Microscope image of mouse pancreas duct cancer with different parts of the cells stained blue or red, against a dark background
Research
February 22, 2017 • 2 Min

Using a Virus to Infect and Destroy Pancreatic Cancer Cells

A clinical trial tests the combination of standard chemotherapy plus a common cold virus that has been modified to kill cancer cells.

Four test tubes with open caps in a blue rack; liquid is being poured into one tube.
Research
February 9, 2017 • 2 Min

Testing Standard Treatment Plus an Antibody to Shrink Pancreatic Tumors

Researchers are testing whether adding a monoclonal antibody to standard chemotherapy will make locally advanced pancreatic cancer qualify for surgery.

Bloos sample tubes
Research
February 6, 2017 • 5 Min

Developing a Screening Test for Pancreatic Cancer

One focus of research for Dr. Anirban Maitra is to develop a simple screening test for pancreatic cancer, to provide an earlier diagnosis of the disease.

Image of a yellow and gold metal circle with wires across the center, in an abstract geometic pattern.
Research
January 27, 2017 • 2 Min

Electrical Pulses to Destroy Pancreatic Cancer Cells

A clinical trial looks the effectiveness of NanoKnife surgery on pancreatic cancer tumors that cannot be removed by traditional surgery.

Pancreas cross section embedded in paraffin wax, stained blue and purple, 100x magnification.
Research
January 16, 2017 • 2 Min

Comparing a Standard Chemotherapy With and Without a PARP Inhibitor

A clinical trial compares standard chemotherapy with and without the addition of a PARP inihibitor, for patients whose pancreatic cancer is spreading again.

Close-up image of the top of a centrifuge, over the central axis
Research
January 2, 2017 • 2 Min

Testing Targeted Immunotherapy Against Pancreatic Cancer

Targeted immunotherapy is the focus of a clinical trial that tests the drug ibrutinib, approved for leukemia treatment, against pancreatic cancer.

Cancer Moonshot meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama
Research
December 30, 2016 • 4 Min

The Cancer Moonshot

Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee of Johns Hopkins is part of the Cancer Moonshot’s Blue Ribbon Panel, and she explains the goals of the program.

against a dark blue background, transparent tubes in orange, lighter blue, red, and clear, indicate different aspects of cell transport. The image was created through an electron microscope.
Research
December 22, 2016 • 2 Min

A New Approach to Treating Some Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients

A clinical trial uses PEGPH20, a synthetic form of a human enzyme, to make treatment more effective in pancreatic cancer patients with high tumor pressure.

Microscope image of lipid bubbles
Research
December 19, 2016 • 3 Min

New Biopsy Shows Promise For Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Trovagene is developing a liquid biopsy for pancreatic cancer patients, to allow doctors to test for cancer and track treatment response.

Abstract black and white image of laboratory equipment and tubes
Research
December 9, 2016 • 2 Min

Muting Chemical Signals to Slow or Stop the Spread of Pancreatic Cancer

A clinical trial tests a drug that turns off chemical signals in the body that promote the growth of tumors and the spread of pancreatic cancer.

glass laboratory pipettes
Research
December 6, 2016 • 4 Min

The First Line of Defense against Pancreatic Cancer

Drs. Allyson Ocean and David Tuveson explain why pancreatic cancer patients should participate in clinical trials at the time of diagnosis.

Image of DNA on a blue background showing blue columns of different lengths broken up by bands of red, green, aqua, and lighter blue.
Research
November 28, 2016 • 2 Min

Testing the Effectiveness of Radiation and Standard Treatment

A clinical trial compares FOLFIRINOX plus stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with just FOLFIRINOX for pancreatic cancer that has spread locally.