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April 2017

PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AND COMMUNITY NEWS

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network news:

Leadership Discusses Pancreatic Cancer Research Funding, New Report

Gastroenterology paper: Private Funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research: More Than a Chip Shot

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Scientific & Medical Affairs team acknowledged for key

contributions to a study analyzing the pancreatic cancer research funding landscape. Watch Lynn

Matrisian and Julie Fleshman describe the findings and significance of this study.

Urge Congress to Say NO to Budget Cuts That Would Slow Progress Against Pancreatic Cancer

Take action NOW to let your members of Congress know you are counting on them to reject cuts to the

National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget and to prioritize cancer research funding. This is essential

because while the President may offer proposals, Congress ultimately creates the budget and has the

power to ensure federal research funding continues and increases – but they need to hear from you.

Standing Room-only Crowd Attends Congressional Briefing, Raising Awareness for Our Nation’s

Deadliest Cancers

On March 2, the Deadliest Cancers Coalition and the Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers

co-hosted a congressional briefing entitled Combatting the Deadliest Cancers: The Role of NCI

Research, 21st Century Cures Funding and the Cancer Moonshot to educate members of Congress and

congressional staff about these diseases and the critical role Congress can take to improve survival. The

briefing garnered a packed, standing room-only crowd on Capitol Hill with nearly 100 attendees.

Our Grantees Featured at Major International Cancer Research Conference

On Monday, April 3, principal investigators of our seven RAN grants awarded from 2013 to 2015 will

speak at the Discussion and Poster Session that we’re hosting at the AACR Annual Meeting. In addition,

we’ll hear from the three scientists who received Pathway to Leadership research grants in 2016. These

grants provide $600,000 over five years at a critical moment in a young researcher’s career – as they’re

finishing up their postdoctoral training and preparing to transition to an independent assistant professor

position.

Julie Fleshman Joins FasterCures Patients Count Leadership Council

We are pleased to announce that our president and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, has joined the

FasterCures Patients Count Leadership Council. The council is an assembly of key opinion leaders in

academia, patient advocacy, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and policy, and other stakeholders who

share an interest in improving health by expanding opportunities for patients’ perspectives to shape

decision‐making at all levels of research and development.

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Julie Fleshman Discusses Clinical Trial Innovation and Precision Medicine Amongst Leaders of

Renowned Biomedical Research Funders

On March 23 and 24, Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s president and

CEO, was invited to speak twice at the prestigious Health Research Alliance (HRA) spring members’

meeting. She provided an organizational overview on Thursday afternoon and participated in a lively

discussion about how nonprofit organizations can accelerate clinical progress on Friday morning.

Meet Dr. Vince Picozzi, Chair of the Precision Promise Clinical Trial Consortium

Meet Vincent Picozzi, Jr., MD, director of the pancreaticobiliary program at the Floyd & Delores Jones

Cancer Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center. Picozzi is a member of our Scientific & Medical

Advisory Board and a principal investigator for one of 12 sites that make up our initial Precision Promise

Clinical Trial Consortium. Recently, Picozzi was also named chair of the Clinical Trial Consortium, an

important role to foster collaboration across all consortium sites spanning the country. We spoke with him

on all things pancreatic cancer – the progress, the challenges and Precision Promise’s role in bringing

new treatments to patients facing pancreatic cancer.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Breakthroughs of Women in Science

Although women make up half the global workforce and earn more college degrees than men, research

shows that they make up only 27 percent of the workforce in STEM fields. Still, from groundbreaking

researchers to advocates of STEM, history is rife with women who have contributed to science in

remarkable ways. Many of them have also been touched by pancreatic cancer.

Clinical Trial Finder

The Clinical Trial Finder saves you time and energy by helping you quickly and easily find the most

current pancreatic cancer clinical trials information. By registering for an account, you will have access to

the most up-to-date and comprehensive database of pancreatic cancer clinical trials in the United States.

Our online tool allows you to perform a patient-specific search to locate available trials based on your

patients’ needs or a general search to understand the current clinical trials landscape to inform research

or trial design.

Know Your Tumor®

Powerful Knowledge. Personal Treatment.®

Our Know Your Tumor service is an IRB-approved protocol that provides you and your pancreatic cancer

patients with a molecular profiling report of their tumor, which includes personalized treatment options –

including standard treatments, off-label treatments and available clinical trials. Treatment options are

determined after findings of the molecular reports are interpreted by an expert panel, providing valuable

insight to support your treatment decisions.

Patient Registry

The Patient Registry is a global online database created to look for patterns in treatments, side effect

management and diagnostics that will lead to improved treatment options and outcomes for patients.

Whether you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or have provided care for someone with

pancreatic cancer, your contributions are meaningful. By joining our quickly growing community and

sharing your experiences, you’re giving researchers access to crucial data that will help make

discoveries. Together, we will move pancreatic cancer research forward.

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Funding opportunities:

New! Call for Nominations: 2017 Fifth Annual Ruth Leff Siegel Awards

Submit nominations by June 12, 2017

The Pancreas Center at Columbia University and The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center have

been entrusted by the Siegel family to identify the investigator who has made the most impactful

contribution to the understanding and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer over the past year. The work can

be in any field of pancreatic cancer research including but not limited to basic biology, population biology,

public health and translational science. They are looking for an investigator who has a track record of high

quality work in this field, made a seminal contribution in 2016 and is anticipated to continue contributing to

our understanding of pancreatic cancer for years to come. There are no geographic, employment or

academic rank restrictions for candidacy.

New! Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Grand Challenge

The call will open again in June 2017 with a revised set of challenges

In 2014 Cancer Research UK published a bold new research strategy with an ambition to support more

innovative high-risk, potentially high-reward research. As part of this, the Grand Challenge initiative was

launched which aims to stimulate a focused multinational, multidisciplinary research effort to address

significant challenges in cancer research, by bringing in fresh thinking, innovation and technology from

other disciplines and sectors to transform the cancer research field. It is intended to drive global

collaboration and support research that would not be able to happen without a team approach and

funding of this scale.

Cancer Moonshot℠ – Funding Opportunities

Following receipt of the Blue Ribbon Panel report, NCI identified funding opportunity announcements

(FOAs) from within its extensive research portfolio that address the goals of the Cancer Moonshot. These

opportunities mark the beginning of a growing Cancer Moonshot portfolio which will continue to expand

given the authorization of the 21st Century Cures Act to fund the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot with $1.8

billion over 7 years. While the FOAs listed below highlight research initiatives that align with the efforts of

the Cancer Moonshot, they may be supported with existing funds or with the 21st Century Cures funding.

The Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (U01)

Deadlines: May 26, 2017; September 21, 2017; April 6, 2018

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications from multi-disciplinary teams of

researchers and clinicians to establish the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (PCDC) to conduct

research to improve the detection of early stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and

characterization of its precursor lesions.

Job opportunities:

New! Postdoctoral Appointee: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

The primary purpose of the Postdoctoral Appointee position is to conduct research investigation into the

effects of cancer vaccines in murine models of pancreatic cancer under the supervision of the Principal

Investigator (Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD). Performs molecular, cell biological and animal laboratory

research experiments under direct supervision of the Principal Investigator. Prior experience with immune

studies and/or flow cytometry a plus. Analyzes data and prepares data for presentation at local and

national meetings. Drafts written reports for inclusion in manuscripts and grant proposals.

New! Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) Career Fair

May 8, 2017, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL

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If you’re hunting for a gastroenterology job or are about to graduate, the organizers highly recommend

you do not miss the DDW Career Fair.

Faculty Position: Assistant Professor of Cancer Cell Biology

North Dakota State University is looking to hire an Assistant Professor of Cancer Cell Biology who

conducts pancreatic cancer research.

Meetings:

Pancreas Club Annual Meeting

Meeting: May 5 – 6, 2017, Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL

Schedule at a glance

Registration includes access to all scientific sessions, posters viewing, exhibits, printed proceedings,

Friday and Saturday continental breakfast and lunch, and Saturday Closing Reception.

New! Digestive Disease Week®

Meeting: May 6 – 9, 2017, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

Recognized as one of the top 50 medical meetings by the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors

Association (HCEA), Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is the world’s largest gathering of physicians,

researchers and industry in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal

surgery.

ASCO Annual Meeting 2017

Meeting: June 2 – 6, 2017, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

Share knowledge. Gain insight. Improve cancer care.

2nd International Conference on Pancreatic Cancer & Liver Diseases

Meeting: June 12 – 13, 2017, London, UK

Registration rates increase April 30; final call is June 12

Pancreatic Cancer 2017 gives an extraordinary platform for changing capacity ideas into superb

business. This conference will convey together a vast participation of customers came from

entrepreneurs, Proposers, buyers, international monetary companies, business institutions, academia

and experts within the area of pancreatic studies and treatment.

Aspen Cancer Conference

Meeting: July 15 – July 18, 2017, the Gant Conference Center and Resort, Aspen, CO

The Aspen Cancer Conference, a series of yearly meetings conceived by Drs. Benjamin F. Trump and

Curtis C. Harris, was begun in 1985. The Conference has continued to emphasize the relationships

between toxicity and carcinogenesis and the identification of novel strategies in cancer prevention,

diagnosis, and therapy. It is evident that new paradigms are needed to explain that an increasing number

of mutagenic and non-mutagenic agents result in carcinogenesis, that cell injury and death, repair, and

inflammation are constant companions of cancer.

European Pancreatic Club (EPC) 2017

Meeting: June 28 – July 1, 2017, Budapest, Hungary

Early registration deadline: April 15, 2017

The meeting will be an important event in European pancreatology and related areas, where basic

scientists and clinicians can exchange ideas and novel research findings, and also deepen their scientific

knowledge.

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New! Mayo Clinic Pancreatic and Hepato-Biliary Cancer Symposium

Meeting: November 10 – 11, 2017, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ

This course, offered by Mayo Clinic in cooperation with TGen, Honor Health, and the Pancreatic Cancer

Action Network, welcomes expert faculty from across the country and throughout Mayo Clinic to bring you

a state-of-the-art conference with the latest treatment options in hepato-biliary and pancreatic cancer.

Other community news:

NIH’s Role in Sustaining the U.S. Economy – 2017 Update

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: New Data Defining Impact of NIH on Economy,

Jobs and Research

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) saves lives, improves health, and offers hope

to people affected by disease. It also supports almost 380,000 jobs and $65 billion in economic activity

across the United States, making NIH research an engine for both medical and economic progress.

Major Pancreatic Cancer Study Launched

Precision PANC

The researchers will use the molecular profile of each individual cancer to offer patients and their doctor a

menu of trials that might benefit them. The first wave of research will establish the best way to collect and

profile patient tissue samples.

Dana-Farber's Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH, named Robert T. and Judith B. Hale Chair in Pancreatic

Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Prestigious Promotion for Member of Our

Research Community

Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH, has been appointed Robert T. and Judith B. Hale Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Wolpin is co-director of the Pancreas and Biliary Tumor Center at Dana-

Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical

School.

Expert Hopes Novel Approaches Improve Outlook in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Pancreatic Cancer Expert Calls for More

Awareness for the Disease and Clinical Trials

Patients with pancreatic cancer are a difficult-to-treat population, as surgery continues to be the sole

curative option. However, ongoing clinical trials are investigating combination treatments with standard

chemotherapies to improve outcomes. In an interview during the 2017 OncLive® State of the Science

Summit on Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Ramesh Ramanathan, MD, who lectured on these challenges

and emerging agents, explained the hurdles oncologists are facing in the field of pancreatic cancer.

WEBINAR | Deciphering Cancer: The Intersection of Epigenetics, Metabolism, and Tumorigenesis

This on-demand webinar will examine how, by targeting proteins responsible for the crosstalk between

epigenetics and metabolism, we may be able to develop new and effective therapeutic options for cancer

treatment. The speakers include Pancreatic Cancer Action Network grantee, Kathryn Wellen, PhD.

AACR Project GENIE: Participation

Application due date: May 1, 2017

AACR Project GENIE is accepting applications for new Participants from non-profit institutions directly

involved in the care of cancer patients nearly a full year ahead of schedule. Project GENIE's approach to

data harmonization is such that each participating organization can continue to operate how it best sees

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fit while simultaneously contributing its data to the project. In this manner, future participants can and will

be easily added once the pilot phase of the project is concluded, and financial milestones are met.

Call for Papers: Research on Pancreatic Cancer

Journal of Pancreatic Cancer is seeking high quality clinical, translational and basic science papers on

malignancies of the pancreas and the peripancreatic region. Submitted papers will be peer reviewed and

consider for publication in the Journal.

BIOLOGY OF CANCER

Pancreatic Cancer Genomics 2.0: Profiling Metastases

Journal: Cancer Cell

Institution(s): University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Eric Collisson or Anirban Maitra

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Eric Collisson, MD: recipient, 2012 Skip Viragh – Career Development Award, co-PI,

Precision Promise Clinical Trial Consortium site and member, Scientific and Medical

Advisory Board

o Anirban Maitra, MBBS: recipient, 2014 Robert Aronson – Innovative Grant and 2004

Career Development Award and member, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, even when diagnosed early, nearly always

metastasizes. Recurrent mutations and genomic instability are early events in the disease. Two

recent papers advance our understanding of how the cancer genome evolves as the primary

tumor migrates from its origin in the pancreas to colonize distant metastatic sites.

Obstacles Posed by the Tumor Microenvironment to T cell Activity: A Case for Synergistic

Therapies

Journal: Cancer Cell

Institution(s): Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Corresponding author(s): Ingunn Stromnes or Philip Greenberg

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Philip Greenberg, MD: recipient, 2016 Abby

Sobrato – Translational Research Grant

Major finding: Here the authors discuss how the tumor and its microenvironment influences T cell

trafficking and function with a focus on melanoma, and pancreatic and ovarian cancer, and

discuss how scientific advances may help overcome these hurdles.

Drugging RAS: Know the Enemy

Journal: Science

Institution(s): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Corresponding author(s): Channing Der

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Bjoern Papke, PhD: recipient, 2016 KRAS Travel Scholarship

o Channing Der, PhD: PI, 2015 Research Acceleration Network Grant, recipient, 2012

Tempur-Pedic® Retailers – Innovative Grant and member, Scientific & Medical Advisory

Board

Major finding: With a greater appreciation of the complexities of RAS that thwarted past efforts,

and armed with new technologies and directions, the field is experiencing renewed excitement

that mutant RAS may finally be conquered. Here the authors summarize where these efforts

stand.

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CRISPR Knockout of the HuR Gene Causes a Xenograft Lethal Phenotype

Journal: Molecular Cancer Research

Institution(s): Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Jonathan Brody

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Jonathan Brody, PhD: PI, 2015 Research

Acceleration Network Grant and recipient, 2010 Skip Viragh – Career Development Award

Major finding: The RNA binding protein HuR (ELAVL1), supports a pro-oncogenic network in

gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cells through enhanced HuR expression. CRISPR/Cas9 technology

was successfully used to delete the HuR gene in both pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and

colorectal cancer cell lines. The work reported here supports the notion that targeting HuR is a

promising therapeutic strategy to treat GI malignancies.

Lipocalin-2 Promotes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Regulating Inflammation in the

Tumor Microenvironment

Journal: Cancer Research

Institution(s): The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and others

Corresponding author(s): Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Huamin Wang, MD, PhD: recipient, 2007 Skip Viragh – Career Development Award

o Craig Logsdon, PhD: member, Emeritus Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) promotes malignant development in many cancer types. The

authors’ results reveal how LCN2 acts in the tumor microenvironment links obesity, inflammation

and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development.

Stratification of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Combinatorial Genetic, Stromal, and

Immunological Markers

Journal: Clinical Cancer Research

Institution(s): University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, and others

Corresponding author(s): Erik Knudsen

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Steven Leach, MD: PI, 2015 Celgene

Corporation – Research Acceleration Network Grant, PI, Precision Promise Clinical Trial

Consortium site and chair, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: The mutational burden of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated

with immunosuppressive mechanisms that are conditioned by the tumor stromal environment.

The defined subtypes have significance for utilizing immunotherapy in the treatment of PDAC.

Acinar Cell Plasticity and Development of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Journal: Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Institution(s): Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

Corresponding author(s): Peter Storz

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Peter Storz, PhD: recipient, 2008 Patty

Boshell – Career Development Award

Major finding: Here, the critical determinants of acinar cell plasticity are discussed, in addition to

the intracellular and extracellular signaling events that drive acinar cell metaplasia and their

contribution to development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The Role of Stromal Cancer-associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology

Institution(s): Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, and others

Corresponding author(s): Amit Verma

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Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Anirban Maitra, MBBS: recipient, 2014

Robert Aronson – Innovative Grant and 2004 Career Development Award and member, Scientific

& Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: This review summarizes the most recent progress made in understanding stromal

formation; its contribution to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis; its role in

chemoresistance; and potential therapeutic strategies on the horizon.

Runx3 and Cell Fate Decisions in Pancreas Cancer

Journal: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

Institution(s): Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Corresponding author(s): Sunil Hingorani

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Sunil Hingorani, MD, PhD: recipient, 2007

Pilot Grant and 2005 Dr. Laurence A. Mack and Roselle Mack – Career Development Award, PI,

Precision Promise Clinical Trial Consortium site and member, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: The RUNX family transcription factors are critical regulators of development and

frequently dysregulated in cancer. The authors recently identified RUNX3 expression as a crucial

determinant of the predilection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells to proliferate

locally or promulgate throughout the body. Understanding these exquisitely context-dependent

tumor cell behaviors has the potential to inform clinical decision-making including the most

appropriate timing and sequencing of local vs. systemic therapies.

Runx3 in Immunity, Inflammation and Cancer

Journal: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

Institution(s): Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Corresponding author(s): Yoram Groner

Major finding: In this chapter the authors summarize the pros and cons of the notion that Runx3 is

a major tumor suppressor gene (TSG). Importantly, accumulating data demonstrated that RUNX3

functions in control of immunity and inflammation, thereby indirectly influencing epithelial tumor

development.

Autocrine IGF1 Signaling Mediates Pancreatic Tumor Cell Dormancy in the Absence of Oncogenic

Drivers

Journal: Cell Reports

Institution(s): University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Corresponding author(s): Kay-Uwe Wagner

Major finding: Mutant KRAS and c-MYC are oncogenic drivers and rational therapeutic targets for

the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The pharmacological inhibition of IGF-1R reduces residual

disease burden and cancer recurrence, suggesting that this molecular pathway is crucial for the

survival of cancer cells in the absence of the primary oncogenic drivers.

Phosphorylation of Rab-coupling Protein by LMTK3 Controls Rab14-dependent EphA2 Trafficking

to Promote Cell:cell Repulsion

Journal: Nature Communications

Institution(s): CRUK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK

Corresponding author(s): Jim Norman

Major finding: Genetic disruption of Rab-coupling protein (RCP) or EphA2 opposes cell:cell

repulsion and metastasis in an autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma—

whereas conditional knockout of another RCP cargo, α5 integrin, does not suppress pancreatic

cancer metastasis—indicating a role for RCP-dependent trafficking of an Eph receptor to drive

tumor dissemination in vivo.

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SerpinB2 Regulates Stromal Remodelling and Local Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Oncogene

Institution(s): University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia, and others

Corresponding author(s): M Ranson, P Timpson or D Saunders

Major finding: This study establishes a novel role for SerpinB2 in the stromal compartment in

pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invasion through regulation of stromal remodeling and

highlights the SerpinB2/ urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) axis for further investigation as a

potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.

Development of Bioluminescent Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Models for Primary

Pancreatic Cancer Cells: A Platform for Drug Testing

Journal: Scientific Reports

Institution(s): VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and others

Corresponding author(s): Elisa Giovannetti

Major finding: The authors’ study provides the first evidence that transduced primary pancreatic

ductal adenocarcinoma cells can form tumors on the chick-embryo chorioallantoic membrane

(CAM), retaining several histopathological and (epi)genetic characteristics of original tumors.

Moreover, their results support the use of these models for drug testing, providing insights on

molecular mechanisms underlying antitumor activity of new drugs/combinations.

Increased Serotonin Signaling Contributes to the Warburg Effect in Pancreatic Tumor Cells under

Metabolic Stress and Promotes Growth of Pancreatic Tumors in Mice

Journal: Gastroenterology

Institution(s): Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China, and others

Corresponding author(s): Yong-Wei Sun or Zhi-Gang Zhang

Major finding: Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) have increased levels of

serotonin (5-HT), and PDAC cells increase expression of its receptor, HTR2B. These increases

allow for tumor glycolysis under metabolic stress and promote growth of pancreatic tumors and

PDAC xenograft tumors in mice.

Converging on RAS

Journal: Cancer Discovery

Major finding: Biologists at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research have teamed

up with computer scientists and physicists at the Department of Energy to tackle the problem of

“undruggable” RAS. The goal is to obtain a precise understanding of how RAS is activated by

interactions with the plasma membrane; this will be illuminated through supercomputer

simulations that build on structural and biochemical studies of RAS.

ETIOLOGY

Cigarette Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer Survival

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Smoking Increases Risk of Developing, Dying

from Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology

Institution(s): Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Brian Wolpin

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH: co-PI, 2016 The

Shirley Sadoff – Research Acceleration Network-2 Grant and PI, Precision Promise Clinical Trial

Consortium site

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Major finding: Cigarette smoking is associated with increased incidence of pancreatic cancer.

However, few studies have prospectively evaluated the association of smoking with patient

survival. Cigarette smoking was associated with a reduction in survival among patients with

pancreatic cancer.

Genetically Predicted Telomere Length Is Not Associated with Pancreatic Cancer Risk

Journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

Institution(s): Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Corresponding author(s): Gloria Petersen

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Gloria Petersen, PhD: member, Scientific &

Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Epidemiologic associations of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and pancreatic

ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been inconsistent owing, in part, to variation in telomere

length (TL) assessment across studies. Findings suggest that genetically predicted short TL is not

associated with PDAC risk.

Stem Cell Divisions, Somatic Mutations, Cancer Etiology, and Cancer Prevention

Journal: Science

Institution(s): Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Corresponding author(s): Cristian Tomasetti or Bert Vogelstein

Major finding: Cancers are caused by mutations that may be inherited, induced by environmental

factors, or result from DNA replication errors (R). The major role of R mutations in cancer etiology

was supported by an independent approach, based solely on cancer genome sequencing and

epidemiological data, which suggested that R mutations are responsible for two-thirds of the

mutations in human cancers.

Adiposity and Cancer at Major Anatomical Sites: Umbrella Review of the Literature

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Another Study Links Obesity to Increased

Cancer Risk

Journal: The BMJ

Institution(s): Imperial College London, London, UK, and others

Corresponding author(s): Maria Kyrgiou

Major finding: Although the association of adiposity with cancer risk has been extensively studied,

associations for only 11 cancers (esophageal adenocarcinoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of

the gastric cardia, colon, rectum, biliary tract system, pancreas, breast, endometrium, ovary, and

kidney) were supported by strong evidence. Other associations could be genuine, but substantial

uncertainty remains. Obesity is becoming one of the biggest problems in public health; evidence

on the strength of the associated risks may allow finer selection of those at higher risk of cancer,

who could be targeted for personalized prevention strategies.

SLC22A3 Polymorphisms Do Not Modify Pancreatic Cancer Risk, But May Influence Overall

Patient Survival

Journal: Scientific Reports

Institution(s): National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic, and others

Corresponding author(s): Beatrice Mohelnikova-Duchonova

Major finding: Expression of the solute carrier (SLC) transporter SLC22A3 gene is associated

with overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Common variation in the SLC22A3 gene is

unlikely to significantly contribute to pancreatic cancer risk. The rs2504938 SNP in SLC22A3

significantly associates with an unfavorable prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Further

investigation of this SNP effect on the molecular and clinical phenotype is warranted.

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EARLY DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND PROGNOSIS Reconstituting Development of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia from Primary Human Pancreas

Duct Cells

Journal: Nature Communications

Institution(s): Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Seung Kim

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Ralph Hruban, MD: member, Emeritus

Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Prospective reconstitution of human pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN)

development from primary cells provides experimental opportunities to investigate pancreas

cancer development, progression and early-stage detection.

Patterns, Timing, and Predictors of Recurrence Following Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Ductal

Adenocarcinoma

Journal: Annals of Surgery

Institution(s): The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, and others

Corresponding author(s): Christopher Wolfgang

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Ralph Hruban, MD: member, Emeritus

Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Specific recurrence locations have different predictive factors and possess distinct

relapse-free survival (RFS) curves, supporting the hypothesis that unique biological differences

exist among tumors leading to distinct patterns of recurrence.

Identifying Prognostic Intratumor Heterogeneity Using Pre- and Post-radiotherapy 18F-FDG PET

Images for Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Journal: Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology

Institution(s): Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Corresponding author(s): Yong Yue

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Nicholas Nissen, MD: member, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

o Andrew Hendifar, MD, MPH: PI, Precision Promise Clinical Trial Consortium site

Major finding: Locoregional metabolic texture response provides a feasible approach for

evaluating and predicting clinical outcomes following treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

with radiotherapy (RT). The proposed method can be used to stratify patient risk and help select

appropriate treatment strategies for individual patients toward implementing response-driven

adaptive RT.

Using an Endoscopic Distal Cap to Collect Pancreatic Fluid from the Ampulla (with video)

Journal: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Institution(s): Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD

Corresponding author(s): Michael Goggins

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Michael Goggins, MD: PI, 2013 Skip Viragh – Inaugural Research Acceleration Network

Grant

o Marcia Canto, MD: co-PI, 2013 Skip Viragh – Inaugural Research Acceleration Network

Grant and member, Emeritus Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Duodenal collections of pancreatic fluid can be used as a source of mutations and

other markers of pancreatic ductal neoplasia, but admixing pancreatic juice with duodenal

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contents lowers the concentrations of mutations. Collecting pancreatic juice directly from the

ampulla using an endoscopic distal cap yields higher concentrations of pancreatic fluid mutations.

Light Scattering Spectroscopy Identifies the Malignant Potential of Pancreatic Cysts During

Endoscopy

Journal: Nature Biomedical Engineering

Institution(s): Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA

Corresponding author(s): Le Qiu or Lev Perelman

Major finding: The authors report an optical spectroscopic technique, based on a spatial gating

fiber-optic probe, that predicts the malignant potential of pancreatic cystic lesions during routine

diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) procedures. In a

double-blind prospective study in 25 patients, with 14 cysts measured in vivo and 13

postoperatively, the technique achieved an overall accuracy of 95%, with a 95% confidence

interval of 78–99%, in cysts with definitive diagnosis.

A Plasma Biomarker Panel to Identify Surgically Resectable Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Institution(s): The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and others

Corresponding author(s): Ann McNeill Killary

Major finding: Plasma tissue factor pathway inhibitor/tenascin C (TFPI/TNC-FN III-C) migration

signature adds statistically significantly to CA 19‐9’s predictive power to detect early-stage

pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and may have clinical utility for early detection of

surgically resectable PDAC, as well as for enhanced survival from this routinely lethal cancer.

Potential Biomarkers in Lewis Negative Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Annals of Surgery

Institution(s): Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China

Corresponding author(s): Xianjun Yu

Major finding: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) have the

potential to be applied as biomarkers in Lewis negative patients with pancreatic cancer. CEA and

CA125 should be routinely measured for all patients with pancreatic cancer.

Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Predicts Prognosis and Correlates with Systemic Inflammatory

Response in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer After Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy

Journal: Scientific Reports

Institution(s): Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China

Corresponding author(s): Peng Wang or Zhen Chen

Major finding: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations correlate with tumor

progression and poor outcome. The authors conclude that serum LDH levels were associated

with the systemic inflammatory response and served as a significant prognostic predictor of

overall survival (OS). Serum LDH levels predicted OS in patients with advanced pancreatic

cancer after gemcitabine-based palliative chemotherapy.

HRDetect Is a Predictor of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Deficiency Based on Mutational Signatures

Journal: Nature Medicine

Institution(s): Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK, and others

Corresponding author(s): Serena Nik-Zainal

Major finding: A weighted model called HRDetect was developed to accurately detect

BRCA1/BRCA2-deficient samples. The authors validated HRDetect on independent cohorts of

breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers and demonstrated its efficacy in alternative sequencing

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strategies. Integrating all of the classes of mutational signatures thus reveals a larger proportion

of individuals with breast cancer harboring BRCA1/BRCA2 deficiency (up to 22%) than hitherto

appreciated (~1–5%) who could have selective therapeutic sensitivity to PARP inhibition.

Evaluation of the 2015 AGA Guidelines on Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms in a Large Surgically

Confirmed Multicenter Cohort

Journal: Endoscopy International Open

Institution(s): David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Rabindra Watson

Major finding: The 2015 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines would have

resulted in 60 % fewer patients being referred for surgical resection, and accurately

recommended surveillance in 95 % of patients with asymptomatic pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Future prospective studies are required to validate these guidelines.

Pancreatic Cancer: New Biomarkers Improve Standard Screening

Review of: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28376184 (above)

Journal: Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology

Institution(s): Nature editorial office, London, UK

Corresponding author(s): Peter Sidaway

Major finding: Data from three cohorts of patients with early stage pancreatic ductal

adenocarcinoma (PDAC) indicate that a two-protein biomarker panel, consisting of plasma tissue

factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and tenascin-C (TNC-FN-III-C), as measured in plasma samples

using an ELISA improves the prognostic value of CA 19-9.

TREATMENT

Role of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Elderly and Poor Performance Status Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of Oncology Practice

Institution(s): Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, and others

Corresponding author(s): Joseph Herman

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Joseph Herman, MD, MSc: recipient, 2008

Blum-Kovler – Career Development Award and member, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Given the favorable toxicity profile, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) seems

like an obvious choice for nonmetastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who are

elderly, have multiple comorbidities, or have poor performance status. Herein, the authors review

the literature on SBRT in this unique patient population and discuss future directions.

Using a Novel NQO1 Bioactivatable Drug, beta-Lapachone (ARQ761), to Enhance Chemotherapeutic Effects by Metabolic Modulation in Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of Surgical Oncology

Institution(s): University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, and others

Corresponding author(s): David Boothman

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Muhammad (Shaalan) Beg, MD: co-PI, 2015 Translational Research Grant

o David Boothman, PhD: PI, 2015 Translational Research Grant and recipient, 2014

Clinical Continuation Grant and 2012 George & June Block Family Foundation –

Innovative Grant

Major finding: K-Ras-mutant-driven NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is over-

expressed in pancreatic tumor versus associated normal tissue, while catalase expression is

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lowered compared to levels in associated normal pancreas tissue. ARQ761 undergoes a robust,

futile redox cycle in NQO1+ cancer cells, producing massive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels;

normal tissues are spared by low NQO1 and high catalase expression. Based on a growing body

of literature, the authors are leading a clinical trial to evaluate the combination of ARQ761 and

chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer.

A Phase II Study of Ganetespib as Second-line or Third-line Therapy for Metastatic Pancreatic

Cancer

Journal: American Journal of Clinical Oncology

Institution(s): Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville,

TN, and others

Corresponding author(s): Emily Chan

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Jordan Berlin, MD: member, Scientific &

Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Ganetespib binds to heat shock protein 90 and interferes with its binding to client

proteins thus leading to inactivation and degradation of the signaling proteins that promote cancer

progression. Single-agent ganetespib was tolerable with only modest disease control in refractory

metastatic pancreatic cancer (rMPC). This disease is resistant to chemotherapy, and given the

emerging data in lung and rectal cancers, as well as in pancreatic cancer cell lines, suggesting

improved activity of ganetespib in combination with cytotoxic agents, studies combining this agent

with chemotherapy in rMPC are more likely to yield success.

Therapeutic Implications of Molecular Subtyping for Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Oncology

Institution(s): Georgetown University, Washington, DC, and others

Corresponding author(s): Michael Pishvaian or Jonathan Brody

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Michael Pishvaian, MD, PhD: co-PI, 2015 Research Acceleration Network Grant

o Jonathan Brody, PhD: PI, 2015 Research Acceleration Network Grant and recipient,

2010 Skip Viragh – Career Development Award

Major finding: In this article, the authors review seminal articles that have evaluated the molecular

architecture of pancreatic cancer. They compare the methods used and the molecular subtypes

defined, and assess the predominant subgroups in order to better understand which therapies

may improve patient outcomes.

Quality-adjusted Survival with Combination nal-IRI+5-FU/LV vs 5-FU/LV Alone in Metastatic

Pancreatic Cancer Patients Previously Treated with Gemcitabine-based Therapy: A Q-TWiST

Analysis

Journal: British Journal of Cancer

Institution(s): Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and others

Corresponding author(s): Richard Hubner

Major finding: In the NAPOLI-1 Phase 3 trial, nal-IRI+5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (5-FU/LV)

significantly improved median overall survival (6.1 vs 4.2 months, P=0.012) and progression-free

survival (3.1 vs 1.5 months, P=0.0001) vs 5-FU/LV alone in metastatic pancreatic

adenocarcinoma patients previously treated with gemcitabine-based therapy. Within NAPOLI-1,

nal-IRI+5-FU/LV resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful gains in quality-

adjusted survival vs 5-FU/LV alone.

Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Resections: Cost and Value Perspectives

Journal: HPB

Institution(s): The University of Dublin, Ireland, and others

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Corresponding author(s): Kevin Conlon

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated authors:

o Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA: president and CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

o Mark Talamonti, MD: member, Emeritus Scientific and Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Challenges remain as to how the potential benefits, both to the patient and the

healthcare system as a whole, are measured. Research comparing minimally invasive pancreatic

resections (MIPR) versus other techniques for pancreatectomy will require appropriate and valid

measurement tools, some of which are yet to be refined. Nonetheless, the experience to date

would support the continued development of MIPR by experienced surgeons in high-volume

pancreatic centers, married with appropriate review and recalibration.

Vandetanib Plus Gemcitabine Versus Placebo Plus Gemcitabine in Locally Advanced or

Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma (ViP): A Prospective, Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre

Phase 2 Trial

Journal: The Lancet

Institution(s): University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK, and others

Corresponding author(s): John Neoptolemos

Major finding: Vandetanib is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR2, RET, and EGFR, all of

which are in involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. The addition of vandetanib to

gemcitabine monotherapy did not improve overall survival in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors might still have potential in the treatment of pancreatic cancer but

further development requires the identification of biomarkers to specifically identify responsive

cancer subtypes.

A Phase II Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Simtuzumab or Placebo in Combination with Gemcitabine for the First-Line Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Journal: The Oncologist

Institution(s): Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University,

Chicago, IL, and others

Corresponding author(s): Al Benson, III

Major finding: The humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody simtuzumab inhibits the extracellular

matrix‐remodeling enzyme lysyl oxidase‐like 2 maintaining pathological stroma in tumors. The

addition of simtuzumab to gemcitabine did not improve clinical outcomes in patients with

metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Phase I, Dose-Escalation, 2-Part Trial of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Talazoparib in Patients with Advanced Germline BRCA1/2 Mutations and Selected Sporadic Cancers

Journal: Cancer Discovery

Institution(s): Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK, and others

Corresponding author(s): Johann de Bono

Major finding: Talazoparib inhibits poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) catalytic activity,

trapping PARP1 on damaged DNA and causing cell death in BRCA1/2-mutated cells. Talazoparib

demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity and was well tolerated in patients at the

recommended dose of 1.0 mg/day.

Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Phase II Study Comparing S-1 Alternate-day Oral Therapy

with the Standard Daily Regimen as a First-line Treatment in Patients with Unresectable Advanced

Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology

Institution(s): Wakayama Medical University, School of Medicine, Wakayama,Japan, and others

Corresponding author(s): Hiroki Yamaue

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Major finding: S-1 for advanced pancreatic cancer should be taken daily as recommended, based

on the decreased overall survival and progression-free survival and marginal improvement in

safety observed in the alternate-day group.

Gemcitabine Mono-therapy versus Gemcitabine Plus Targeted Therapy in Advanced Pancreatic

Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Phase III Trials

Journal: Acta Oncologica

Institution(s): National Cancer Institute, Naples, Italy

Corresponding author(s): Antonio Avallone

Major finding: The present meta-analysis does not show significant improvements in survival for

targeted drugs in advanced pancreatic cancer. The possible reason of these results could be

linked to the biology of pancreatic cancer as well as to the absence of predictive factors.

Gemcitabine in Combination with a Second Cytotoxic Agent in the First-Line Treatment of Locally

Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal: Targeted Oncology

Institution(s): The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China

Corresponding author(s): Chong-An Xu

Major finding: Gemcitabine-based doublet regimens demonstrated superiority over gemcitabine

monotherapy in overall efficacy, but were associated with increased toxicity. Different

gemcitabine-based combinations showed different antitumor activity, and doublet regimens of

gemcitabine in combination with a taxoid or a fluoropyrimidine, in particular an oral

fluoropyrimidine provided significant survival benefits in the first-line treatment of unresectable

advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer (LA/MPC).

A Randomized, Open-label, Phase 2 Study of Everolimus in Combination with Pasireotide LAR or

Everolimus Alone in Advanced, Well-differentiated, Progressive Pancreatic Neuroendocrine

Tumors: COOPERATE-2 Trial

Journal: Annals of Oncology

Institution(s): Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Matthew Kulke

Major finding: Pasireotide, a second-generation somatostatin analogs (SSA), targets multiple sstr

subtypes. We compared the efficacy and safety of pasireotide plus everolimus to everolimus

alone in patients with advanced, well-differentiated, progressive pancreatic NET (pNET). The

addition of pasireotide to everolimus was not associated with the improvement in progression-free

survival p compared to everolimus alone in this study. Further studies to delineate mechanisms

by which SSAs slow tumor growth in NET are warranted.

Systemic Combination Chemotherapy in Elderly Pancreatic Cancer: A Review

Journal: Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer

Institution(s): Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY

Corresponding author(s): Gwenalyn Garcia

Major finding: Identifying elderly patients who will benefit from combination chemotherapy for

pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge. An assessment of medical

comorbidities and functional status plays a key role in determining fitness for intensive

chemotherapeutic regimens in this important subset of patients.

Gene Expression Profiling of Patient-derived Pancreatic Cancer Xenografts Predicts Sensitivity to

the BET Bromodomain Inhibitor JQ1: Implications for Individualized Medicine Efforts

Journal: EMBO Molecular Medicine

17

Institution(s): Aix‐Marseille Université and Institut Paoli‐Calmettes, Marseille, France, and others

Corresponding author(s): Nelson Dusetti or Juan Iovanna

Major finding: The authors showed that cells from MYC‐high patients are more sensitive to JQ1

treatment compared to MYC‐low cells, in monolayer, 3D cultured spheroids and in vivo

xenografted tumors, due to cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Therefore, these results

provide new markers and potentially novel therapeutic modalities for distinct subgroups of

pancreatic tumors and may find application to the future management of these patients within the

setting of individualized medicine clinics.

CAR T-cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of Surgical Oncology

Institution(s): Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Corresponding author(s): Prasad Adusumilli

Major finding: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy utilizes genetic engineering to

redirect a patient's own T cells to target cancer cells. Herein, the authors summarize the

opportunities, challenges, and state of knowledge in targeting pancreatic cancer with CAR T-cell

therapy.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (panNETs): Analysis of Overall Survival of Nonsurgical

Management Versus Surgical Resection

Journal: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

Institution(s): University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Corresponding author(s): Danny Yakoub

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Nipun Merchant, MD: PI, 2015 Translational

Research Grant and member, Scientific & Medical Advisory Board

Major finding: Surgical resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs), including small

and nonfunctioning, appears to be associated with improved overall survival. Enucleation is

associated with shorter operative time, less blood loss, but greater incidence of postoperative

pancreatic fistula. Prospective, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.

Targeted Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer: Biomarkers Are Needed

Review of: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28259610

Journal: The Lancet

Institution(s): Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany

Corresponding author(s): Jörg Kleeff

Major finding: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, and

is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality within the next 5–10

years, partly because only incremental progress has been made in the palliative treatment of this

disease.

Direct Tumor Vaccination Shown to Induce Anti-Tumor Immunity and Increase Survival in a

Murine Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract book, see #PT187

Meeting: 70th Annual Society of Surgical Oncology Cancer Symposium

Institution(s): Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Presenter: Darren Carpizo

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-affiliated author: Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD: recipient, 2012

The Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation – Career Development Award

Major finding: The authors conclude that intratumoral vaccination with tumor antigen expressing

virus in this model can induce an anti-tumor effect, increase intratumoral T-cell infiltration and

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prolong survival. This evidence is consistent with intratumoral vaccination overcoming one of the

barriers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) immunosuppression, the prevention of

recruitment of lymphocytes into the tumor. This model will be useful for studying the mechanisms

by which intratumoral vaccination abrogates tumor immunosuppression in PDAC.

Industry news:

ARMO BioSciences Announces First Patient Dosed in Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Immunotherapy

AM0010 for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Company: ARMO BioSciences, Inc., Redwood City, CA

Major finding: RMO BioSciences, Inc., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, announced

that the first patient has been dosed in the Company's international Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial to

evaluate its lead investigational immuno-oncology drug AM0010 (PEGylated Interleukin-10) in

combination with FOLFOX as second-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic

cancer.

ERYTECH Reports Positive Phase 2b Data for eryaspase for the Treatment of Metastatic

Pancreatic Cancer

Company: ERYTECH Pharma, Lyon, France

Major finding: ERYTECH Pharma, a French clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company

developing innovative therapies by encapsulating therapeutic drug substances inside red blood

cells, announced positive topline results from its Phase 2b clinical study evaluating its product

candidate, eryaspase (GRASPA®), in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of

second-line metastatic pancreatic cancer. The Phase 2b study evaluated eryaspase, L-

asparaginase encapsulated in red blood cells, as a second-line treatment in combination with

chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer..

Halozyme Provides Update on SWOG Collaborative Group Clinical Study

Company: Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA

Major finding: Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has been informed by SWOG, an

independent network of researchers that design and conduct cancer clinical trials, that the SWOG

Phase 1b/2 trial evaluating PEGPH20 plus modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy versus modified

FOLFIRINOX alone in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreas cancer has been

temporarily closed to enrollment.

CANCER CONTROL, SURVIVORSHIP, AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH

Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2014, Featuring Survival

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of

Cancer Finds Rates Declining, But Not in Pancreatic Cancer

Journal: Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Institution(s): American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, and others

Corresponding author(s): Ahmedin Jemal

Major finding: The American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of

Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) collaborate to provide annual updates on cancer

occurrence and trends in the United States. This Annual Report highlights survival rates. Cancer

death rates continue to decrease in the United States. However, progress in reducing death rates

and improving survival is limited for several cancer types, underscoring the need for intensified

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efforts to discover new strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment and to apply

proven preventive measures broadly and equitably.

State of Cancer Care in America: 2017

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Latest News blog post: Cancer Care Report: Patient-centric, Evidence-

based Medicine Critical for Future Success

The State of Cancer Care in America: 2017 report examines opportunities and challenges in the delivery

of high-quality cancer care in the United States. The report, published annually by the American Society

of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), analyzes demographic, economic, and oncology practice trends affecting

cancer care in the United States and describes how a rapidly transforming cancer care delivery system is

responding to those changes.