Blog

113 Articles

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.

Dr. Igor Astsatsurov and pancreatic cancer patient Melissa Kartasevich at the Capitol in Washington, DC
Survivor Stories
January 6, 2017 • 3 Min

Fighting to Win

Melissa Kartasevich’s fiance and daughter motivate her pancreatic cancer battle, as she fights it to reach her goal of surgery to remove the tumor.

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.

Pancreatic cancer long-term survivor Anne Seagren
Survivor Stories
December 27, 2016 • 4 Min

Chemotherapy Makes Tumor Removal Possible

Anne Seagren In December of 2006 at the age of 56 I became aware of a slight pressure in my side. I decided to follow up with my doctor. She recommended a CT scan to see if I had gallstones or appendicitis. The pressure subsided and I considered ignoring her advice. Fortunately, I went ahead […]

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.

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.

Four transparent oblong orange pills and five round white pills on an orange background
Research
October 31, 2016 • 2 Min

Using a Vitamin to Make Low-Dose Chemotherapy More Effective

A clinical trial compares the effectiveness of low-dose continuous chemotherapy with and without high doses of vitamin C.

Microscope image of four pancreatic cells with pinkish edges and green centers, against a dark background
Research
October 10, 2016 • 2 Min

A Novel Combination to Slow Pancreas Tumors that Cannot Be Surgically Removed

Can a combination of standard drugs, a PARP inhibitor, and intensity modulated radiation therapy to slow pancreatic tumor growth?

Cancer researcher Sunil Hingorani
Research
September 19, 2016 • 4 Min

New Drug Shows Positive Results in Early Trials

A new drug called PEGPH20, which helps chemotherapy drugs reach their target, is showing positive results in an ongoing pancreatic cancer trial.

Micrograph of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma showing cells in pink and dark purple with white spaces between.
Research
August 31, 2016 • 2 Min

A New Chemotherapy and Radiation Regimen to Shrink Tumors Before Surgery

Researchers are testing a new combination of chemotherapies and radiation to shrink pancreatic cancer tumors and make surgical removal possible.

Microscopy image of a tumor section (obtained from a mouse tumor model) shows the blue-stained nanoparticles selectively accumulating in the peripheral tumor area and then penetrating into tumor cells
Research
August 18, 2016 • 2 Min

Exploring the Effectiveness of an Experimental Class of Drug

Does adding a PARP inhibitor drug to standard treatment help control the spread of advanced pancreatic cancer in patients with the BRCA mutation?

Pancreatic cancer patient Kim Vernick and her dog
Survivor Stories
July 18, 2016 • 3 Min

The Alien Inside Me

Kim Vernick details the clinical trial and surgery used to treat her pancreatic cancer. When the cancer returns she explains the treatment she got.

Microscope image of a yellow cell with white cells around it and partly reaching on it, on a teal background
Research
July 13, 2016 • 2 Min

Testing the Effect of a Malaria Drug on Standard Treatment

A clinical trial tests whether a malaria drug can make standard chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer more effective.