Philanthropy is a Key Driver to Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Research at Hoag
Bringing the Latest Developments in Clinical Research to Our Community
Access to the most promising new therapies through clinical trials is invaluable to patients with pancreatic cancer, especially those who may have exhausted traditional treatment options. Philanthropy is a key driver of the Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s clinical research capabilities and offerings, supporting the robust infrastructure needed to attract and run these sophisticated trials. Hoag recently recruited Dr. Carlos Becerra, the Margaret Givan Larkin Endowed Chair in Developmental Cancer Therapeutics and a nationally known expert in early phase clinical research and cellular therapy, to lead Hoag’s top-tier research team in securing the most advanced trials testing the latest discoveries coming out of industry and translational science. This means patients with advanced pancreatic cancer can stay close to home and family while accessing the latest cutting-edge treatments.
The Hoag Family Cancer Institute has also become a preferred institution for biotech and pharmaceutical companies to bring their newest therapeutic developments into the clinic setting. In some cases, Hoag is the only or one of only a few centers to offer these early phase trials. Thanks to funding from Hoag Innovators, a group of entrepreneurial donors committed to catalyzing innovation at Hoag through collective giving, Hoag is currently one of two centers in the world with a pioneering cell therapy trial for pancreatic cancer. The phase II trial uses natural killer (NK) cells, which are manipulated to recognize and target cancer cells. When injected into the patient, the NK cells activate the immune system to create antibodies that fight cancer in combination with chemotherapy. While the trial will continue through 2024, results to date show the median overall survival for those in the trial is more than double the typical survival for these advanced cases of pancreatic cancer. With your support, Hoag continues to pursue clinical trials in the most promising areas of research for pancreatic cancer.
Read the Pancreatic Cancer Program Impact Report
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