OCTOBER 2010

Dr. Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue leads team to major breakthrough - Genetic Study Reveals Large Window of Opportunity for the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer develops and spreads much more slowly than scientists have thought, according to new research from the laboratory of Dr. Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue M.D. Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pathology, Oncology and Surgery at Hopkins’ Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. Using whole genome sequencing data generated from the cancer tissues of seven patients who underwent a rapid autopsy, Dr. Iacobuzio and colleagues found that it takes at least a decade after the first cancer-causing mutation occurs in a normal cell in the pancreas until the development of a full-fledged cancer cell. Read More

MAY 2010

In vivo and in vitro propagation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms - Scientists at Johns Hopkins are studying a new cell line which they hope will provide them with the ability to develop new approaches to the early detection and treatment of curable tumors in the pancreas.  Read More

APRIL 2010

The Johns Hopkins pancreatic cancer research team will receive two prestigious awards at the 2010 meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) held April 17-21, in Washington, D.C.

 Dr. Ralph Hruban – 2010 INNOVATOR Award recipient

Zeshaan A. Rasheed, M.D., Ph.D. - PanCan & American Assoc. for Cancer Research Award Grant

MARCH 2010

New National Pancreatic Cancer Research Consortium - The Lustgarten Foundation has formed a national pancreatic cancer research consortium, a collaborative effort to advance the most promising research initiatives aimed at finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Scientists participating in the Pancreatic Cancer Research Consortium (PCRC) will share knowledge, information, expertise and technologies in a coordinated effort.

We are pleased that two of the four initial grants were awarded to scientists at Johns Hopkins.

•    Early detection – A project led by Bert Vogelstein at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will develop a blood and fluid-based test to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage, when it may be curable.
•    Defining familial pancreatic cancer – An international project led by Ralph Hruban from Johns Hopkins University will study the inherited causes of pancreatic cancer.

Congratulations to the Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cancer Research team!
To learn more about research into the familial aggregation of pancreatic cancer at Johns Hopkins, visit the NFPTR Web site.