Keytruda Runner-Up for Science Breakthrough of the Year

The Lustgarten Foundation is delighted to share that Keytruda® was named one of Science magazine’s “Breakthrough of the Year” runners-up as one of the most significant scientific developments in 2017.

Earlier this year, in an unprecedented, fast-tracked review, the FDA approved Keytruda® as the first immunotherapy treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer patients whose tumors are mismatch repair deficient. This deficiency alters the ability to repair DNA, which is a factor in cancer development. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 50 advanced pancreatic cancer patients have tumors that are mismatch repair deficient.

The Lustgarten Foundation played a critical role in bringing Keytruda® to pancreatic cancer patients by funding this innovative research, encouraging patients to get their tumors tested, and covering the cost of the test. Congratulations to our Distinguished Scholar Dr. Bert Vogelstein and his team at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center for this great honor and tremendous accomplishment.

Watch our video to learn more.

Immunotherapy Keytruda Lustgarten pancreatic cancer pembrolizumab