Blog

117 Articles

Dr. Joseph Herman
Research
June 7, 2017 • 5 Min

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Select Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly being used to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer, and make it surgically removable.

pancreatic cancer patient Bob Tirk
Survivor Stories
May 17, 2017 • 3 Min

A Big Teaching Hospital Can Make All the Difference

When Bob Tirk’s local doctor couldn’t figure out the source of his pain, he went to a large teaching hospital, where he was treated for pancreatic cancer.

pancreatic cancer survivor Shannon Magee
Survivor Stories
April 10, 2017 • 5 Min

A New Clinical Trial Leads to No Evidence of Disease

After pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Shannon Magee became patient 1 in a new clinical trial that combined chemotherapy and a Whipple procedure.

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.

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.