Zetz Family PCRF, Johns Hopkins Medicine partner for pancreatic cancer research

May 6 2015

According to a study done by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and published by the Cancer Research Journal, early detection for Pancreatic Cancer is particularly important because it is known as the "silent killer", by the time symptoms appear it is usually too late and is known to have a very low survival rate of 7% over 5 years. According to the study there is not enough research in place for pancreatic cancer, which is extremely aggressive and is projected to become the second deadliest cancer by 2020.

According to Allison Klein PhD MHS, the Director of The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry (NFPTR), at The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, a research study aimed at identifying the causes of pancreatic cancer, "We have been studying families affected by pancreatic cancer since 1994 in order to determine the basis of this deadly disease. Our research has paved the way for some of the first early detection screening studies for pancreatic cancer as well as identified several pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes. We hope to continue our research in order to enable the prevention and early detection of pancreatic cancer and lead to improved treatment of this disease. Our ultimate goal is to save lives. The Zetz Family Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation is a key supporter of the work being conducted."

To make progress toward early detection The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center is in need of more blood samples for DNA to study. This is where the Zetz Family Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation will provide support, assisting in the funding of collection and sharing of blood from recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients.

There is currently little education or information shared with families of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about gene identification or studies working toward cures and detection. The Zetz Family PCRF will begin by partnering with hospitals to engage with pancreatic cancer patients and assist them with collecting blood and getting it to Johns Hopkins Medicine. There, three of the world's leading experts in pancreatic cancer - Dr. Ralph Hruban, MD, PhD, professor of pathology and oncology; Dr. Joseph Herman, MD, associate professor of oncology; and Dr. Christopher Wolfgang, MD, PhD, associate professor of surgery, can study the DNA to gain understanding of detection and treatment.

SOURCE Zetz Family Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation