WINTER 2014-15
ADVANCING PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH AND PATIENT CARE
RECORD-BREAKING LACC HONORS TEAMS AND CELEBRATES SURVIVORS [ 14 ] INTRODUCING THE 2014/2015 SEED GRANT RECIPIENTS [ 7 ] HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW ROADMAP PROGRAM [ 24 ]
WINTER 2014 / 2015
Contents ON THE COVER 14
L.A. CANCER CHALLENGE Get inspired by LACC teams honoring loved ones and fundraising for a cure. Team captains present seed grant checks to researchers at emotional main stage ceremony.
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FEATURES
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EAST MEETS WEST Read about the summit conference that brought together American & Japanese pancreatic associations tasked with developing a strategic collaboration to drive novel approaches to early detection.
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SEED GRANTS Our Seed Grant Program encourages both new and veteran scientists to become invested in pancreatic cancer research. This year we had a record number of seed grant application and due to our fundraising efforts have been able to fund 10 promising projects.
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RESEARCH NEWS Get updated on a Neoadjuvant Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine trial, led by Hirshberg Seed Grant Recipient, that offers promising preliminary results.
20 EVENTS Event hosts increased fundraising in 2014 and rally their communities to support our research. In this section we highlight folks who brought new exciting fundraising ideas to life.
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PATIENT & FAMILY SUPPORT Learn more about our new Roadmap Program and upcoming medical symposium for patients & caregivers. Hear from two incredible patients who have shared their stories with us.
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Winter 2014–15
Directors & Trustees Agi Hirshberg, President & Founder Lisa Manheim, Director Jon Hirshberg, Trustee Michael Berliner, Trustee Stephen C. Prince, CPA Michael Scott, ESQ Lisa Fletcher, Trustee
EDITOR Lisa Manheim, Executive Director ART DIRECTION Jennifer Mola CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Agi Hirshberg, Founder Lisa Manheim, Executive Director Christopher Wolfgang, MD, PhD Elizabeth Jaffee, MD Lei Zheng, MD Sarah Banks Elissa Oblath Allison Miller
Scientific Advisory Board Vay Liang W. Go, MD, Chair Laszlo G. Boros, MD Murray Korc, MD
Peter Fischer Ernest Park Janet Francis Jeff Ross Rayva L.G. Harrell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Angela Daves Haley, www.adhphotography.com
Anirban Maitra, MBBS
Léonard Monje, www.image-culture.com
Laurence J. Miller, MD
COVER DESIGN
Stephen J. Pandol, MD
Studio Launchpad
Howard A. Reber, MD Lee S. Rosen, MD Ashok Saluja, PhD Diane M. Simeone, MD
Momentum is published twice a year by the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Articles, artwork and photography may be reprinted only with permission.
C 2014 by Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Please send all correspondence to: Momentum Hirshberg Foundation 2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 300C Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 473-5121 info@pancreatic.org 4
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Message from the Founder I began this journey nearly 18 years ago out of love, determination, and loss—like so many of you. Every day since, I wake with a renewed sense of determination to find answers for all of us because this is a battle that must be won. At the Hirshberg Foundation 2014 was a winning year with exceptional results for all of our programs. As we were planning this issue of Momentum, words like “progress”, “accomplishments” and “solutions” came to mind. Inside this issue we proudly share some of those highlights with you. Closest to my heart is how we help our patients. Last February, at the suggestion of our own Dr. Reber, we added a patient panel to our annual medical symposium at UCLA. As the cancer-free survivors (from 2-14 years!) spoke to our audience about their journey and good health, the newly diagnosed patients were suddenly smiling. For many, this was the first time they heard good news about pancreatic cancer and could imagine the possibility of living a long cancer-free life. Being part of this powerful experience at the Symposium changed our approach towards the patients that we guide through treatment. We kicked off our new Roadmap Program with an in-house Meet and Greet for the newly diagnosed to connect with long-term patients in an informal setting. We observed a 13-year survivor giving sound advice to our guests, defying the statistics that new patients read about or hear about upon diagnosis. Our Roadmap and Financial Aid Programs (which served 166 patients from 37 states this year) open the doors to positive thinking and hope. Our fundraising efforts this past year were record-breaking and allowed us to fund more research than ever before. Included in this issue are the 10 Seed Grant Awardees selected by our Scientific Advisory Board. Thanks to our committed supporters we have funded 5 projects for potential new therapy, 2 projects for early detection and, most importantly, 3 studies for prevention. In total, our investigators represent 28 prestigious universities, adding Yale University, University of Michigan and Saint Jude Children’s Hospital to our scientific roster. 2014 found many of our past Seed Grant Awardees in the news and often! They released more publications, uncovered more positive results and received more NIH funding than ever before. Together we have invested $5 million in our Seed Grant Program and are proud to report that our investigators have generated an estimated $65 million in government funding. The research “seeds” that we have planted are all seeing positive results! And while we have come so far, thousands of families across the globe face a pancreatic cancer diagnosis every day. On that day, their fight is just beginning. We must be their champions and continue to work tirelessly to find answers. We are in this together! With gratitude,
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East Meets West 45 th Meeting of the American Pancreatic Association and the Japan Pancreas Society By Agi Hirshberg
Historically, the American Pancreatic Association and the Japan Pancreas Society have held their annual meetings separately but have held joint meetings every five years. This past November the 45th meeting was held in Hawaii and received global attention, as the meeting had over 600 participants and 400 presentations from 23 countries, detailing new scientific findings that represent the best in the field of pancreas research. Here are the highlights from my perspective for our pancreatic cancer patients and survivors! The Hirshberg Keynote ses-
sion Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer opened the meetings. Elizabeth Jaffe, MD, Johns Hopkins, USA, presented an overview of immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer. Haruo Sugiyama, MD, PhD, from Osaka University, Japan introduced the WT1 Cancer Vaccine development for treatment of pancreatic cancer, which is now in various phases of clinical trials. Lastly, Teresa Brentnall, MD, from the University of Washington, USA discussed the management of familial pancreatic cancer and lessons learned for the management of the majority of sporadic pancreatic cancers. In ad-
dition to this prestigious session, the Hirshberg Foundation presented two special awards for the best clinical abstract for pancreatic cancer to Kennichi Satoh, PhD, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan and the best basic science abstract to Lei Zeng, PhD, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, USA. Of vital importance, The Barbara Kenner Family Research Fund organized a Summit Conference to develop strategies for advancing the field in early detection of sporadic cancer, bringing together experts in all aspects of pancreatic cancer research. The group’s task is to come up with a strategic effort of collaboration, expertise and novel thinking to enable earlier diagnosis of patients years before the current time of late diagnosis. For the past 45 years the APA has been committed to using the symposia to accelerate important advances in treatment for patients with pancreas disorders. Both organizations are grateful to those who were integrally involved in the planning of the outstanding programs and the expert speakers.
left to right: Teresa Brentnall, MD; Elizabeth Jaffe, MD; and Agi Hirshberg
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2014 / 2015
Seed Grants
Introducing the Hirshberg Foundation Seed Grant Recipients for 2014/2015 By Agi Hirshberg
In 2003, the Hirshberg Foundation launched its national/international Seed Grant Program. The aim of the program is to increase interest and investment in research by recruiting established scientists and encouraging new investigators to enter the field. The seed grants are designed to allow researchers in all fields to develop the preliminary data necessary to pursue additional funding from the National Institutes of Health. From our inception, the number of seed grant applications received has grown from 12 to 67 this year. Our Scientific Advisory committee reviews and as-
signs priority scores for all submitted grants based on the NIH guidelines and the finalists are selected by our foundation. To date we have invested $5 million in seed grants and these studies have generated over $65 million in additional funding from government agencies.
Please welcome our new awardees and read about their exciting research!
Targeting ATM mediated DNA damage response as a potential therapy in pancreatic cancer Cancers arising in the pancreas are highly metastatic and individuals who are diagnosed usually survive only a few months. One of the fatal aspects of the disease is that pancreatic cancer usually metastasizes to distant organs of the body and surgical removal is impossible. In addition, the dense nature of the tumors makes them inaccessible to standard chemotherapeutics. Yiannis Drosos, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by specific alterations in the genetic information of an individual that drive the transformation of normal, quiescent pancreatic cells to highly proliferative and metastatic malignant cells. Treatments like radiotherapy or certain chemotheurapeutics, cause extended damage to the DNA of cancer cells, which eventually become resistant to such treatments because they can partially repair their DNA.
A number of reports recently identified that individuals and families who carry one copy of a mutated form of the gene ATM, are more prevalent to develop pancreatic cancer. Interestingly, ATM protein is very important for the proper repair of DNA after damage. Our hypothesis is, since ATM is responsible for DNA repair and protection from radiation induced cellular damage, the pancreatic tumor cells lacking ATM will be sensitive to a radiotheurapeutic regimen. Our preliminary results from a novel experimental model to test the loss of ATM in pancreatic cancer clearly show that these cells are more sensitive to irradiation. We propose to use these cells to identify chemical compounds that could selectively kill pancreatic cancer cells.
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Seed Grants
continued
Selective targeting of PARP-1 and PARP inhibitor–resistance for the treatment of pancreatic cancer
Jonathan R. Brody, PhD John Pascal, PhD Associate Professors Thomas Jefferson University
Despite recent advancements, pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease with an average survival of less than one year. Optimization of current treatments and development of novel therapies are desperately needed. PARP inhibitors, a new class of anti-cancer agents, have generated much excitement in the pancreatic cancer research community, particularly in pre-clinical studies and early phase clinical trials with patients who harbor BRCA2 mutations (or ‘BRCA’ness’). While targeting a single gene is unlikely to fully address the complexity of this disease, our work offers an optimal “bench to bedside” personalized approach focusing on targeting an Achilles Heel (i.e., DNA damage defects) of these tumors and a tractable approach which might improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease. The primary impact of our proposal relates to the clinical implementation and development of PARP inhibitors (an established personalized therapeutic strategy for a subset of pancreatic cancer patients). Our work will expand two fronts of investigation and innovation in an effort to optimize this promising class of drugs in pancreatic cancer patients in desperate need of a targeted strategy. The primary significance of our work relates to translational voids in the field of: 1) understanding and targeting a potent and recently identified chemo-drug resistance pathway (via a molecule called HuR); and 2) developing more selective targeted drugs for personalized therapies for pancreatic cancer (i.e., PARP-1). Our studies will pair two laboratories that have a unique set of expertise: a) the Pascal laboratory: a leader in our understanding of the PARP-1 protein (structure-function relationships); and b) the Brody laboratory: who defined a novel, non-genetic, pancreatic cancer drug resistance mechanism. In summary, our proposed studies will advance our understanding of currently available PARP inhibitors by investigating a potent drug resistance mechanism; and concurrently, we will develop more targeted approaches to inhibiting PARP-1. Ultimately, our goal is to optimize an already promising, personalized therapy for pancreatic cancer patients.
Immunomodulatory effects of tumor-derived exosomes in pancreas cancer
Timothy L. Frankel, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Michigan 8
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Pancreas cancer is typically resistant to modern chemotherapy. One proposed reason for this resistance is a network of cells found intermingled with tumor cells which block the immune systems ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. We have identified particles released from tumor cells called exosomes which are capable of increasing the number of these
immune blocking cells. We hypothesize that this occurs by trafficking of the particles to the bone marrow and converting normal immune cells to suppresive ones. Our current research is focused on idenifying the properties of these particles which results in this increased immunosuppresion and strategies to block their release.
2014 / 2015
Seed Grants
“Armored” Self-Replicating Genes as Delivery Systems for Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection by Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging
William Gelbart, PhD Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles
One of the reasons that pancreatic cancer is so deadly is that there are at present no ways to detect it at very early stages. None of the most effective and prevalent imaging techniques – like X-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – is sufficiently sensitive to observe the weak contrast between cancerous and normal tissue in early pancreatic tumors. In this proposal we outline the first step towards a novel and powerful means for enhancing contrast in the particular case of MRI. To date the commonly pursued MRI contrast agents for this purpose are small magnetic particles that are injected into the bloodstream and targeted towards tumors. But
most of them end up in the liver, and even the few that do reach the cancer are quickly degraded; moreover, they are relatively toxic. We propose to deliver as the contrast agent a naturally occurring protein, ferritin, and to do so – not in the form of a fixed amount of protein, but rather -- in the form of a self-replicating gene that codes for this protein. Further, we can package/protect this gene inside rigid biocompatible protein shells that are modified to target pancreatic cancer cells. Because the ferritin contrast agent is synthesized directly in the tumor at an increasing rate over the course of days, the imaging contrast will be greatly enhanced.
Metabolic Profile of Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer
Paul Lee, MD Professor of Pediatrics LA Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
One of the greatest challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is its resistance to chemotherapies like Gemcitabine. Cancer chemotherapy targets metabolic pathways important to cancer growth and survival. The pattern of usage of nutrients such as sugar is special for cancer cells and is affected by chemotherapy. Cancer chemoresistance arises when cancer cells develop alternative pathways reducing the effectiveness of the drug gemcitabine. In order to understand how Gemcitabine kills cancer cells, and how chemoresistance avoids such cytotoxic effects, we propose to first determine how Gem-
citabine affects the overall utilization of sugar in Gemcitabine sensitive and resistant cells using carbon-13 tracing techniques. By monitoring the utilization of carbon-13 labeled sugar, we can establish how Gemcitabine sensitive and resistant cells use sugar for invasive proliferation. Using such information, we will test whether chemoresistance can be overcome by targeting specific glucose utilization that is special in the resistant cells. The knowledge of how chemoresistance avoids the toxicity of Gemcitabine can be used to develop alternative or combination therapy for pancreatic cancer.
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Seed Grants
continued
Development of a Potent Synthetic Reporter System for Earlier Detection, Accurate Quantification and Precise Localization of Pancreatic Cancer
She-Hi Liu Adjunct Assistant Professor University of California, Los Angeles
Accurate and reliable early diagnostics and effective therapy for pancreatic cancer are urgently needed. Noninvasive molecular imaging using reporter genes (NGRI) is a relatively recent field in biomedical imaging which holds great promise for PDAC diagnosis and localization. However, clinical application of this approach was largely hindered by lack of a highly efficient reporter gene expression. Blood biomarker detection is a convenient and safety strategy for screening and earlier diagnosis of PDAC, but it is not applicable in PDAC. In this project, we propose a completely novel approach by integration multiple molecular detection strategies in one to achieve earlier and precise evaluation of PDAC by several strategies: 1) using novel synthetic
PDAC-specific promoter (SHIP) to specifically enhance reporter gene expression; 2) utilizing gene transcriptional amplification system to amplify gene transcription; 3) taking advantage of dual reporter expression system simultaneously to express a secretory blood biomarker and imaging reporter; 4) genetically engineering adeno-associated virus serotype 2 as gene carrier to increase transfection of PDAC cells. The powerful system will substantially provide an earlier detection and precise localization of PDAC tumor. The success of this project will be a major advance in the imaging serologically detection of PDAC and can be modified for other solid cancers and can be extension to potent gene therapy for PDAC.
A pilot study on the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-tumor effects of loquat leaf extract
Qing-Yi Lu, PhD Adjunct Professor University of California, Los Angeles
Obesity is associated with several chronic diseases including cancer and diabetes. Several studies have shown that extracts from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica, also known as loquat, have anti-hyperglycemic effect in animal models. One of its major biological active ingredients ursolic acid (UA) is shown to exhibit antihyperglycemic activities and inhibit the growth of cancer cells including the pancreatic cancer cells. However, the mechanisms of the anti-hyperglycemic activity and anti-tumor effects of this plant have not been reported. Our preliminary stud-
ies demonstrate that loquat leaf extract (LLE) decreases glucose uptake in heptoma HepG2 cells. In this study we propose: 1. To determine the anti-tumor effects of LLE and UA in Mia-PaCa2 pancreatic tumor cells, and to examine if LLE- and UA-induced cell death is mediated by AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activation. Activation of AMPK is implicated in the action of a variety of plant chemicals (e.g. Metformin, a major drug —continued
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2014 / 2015 for treatment for type 2 diabetes ) with anti-obesity, antidiabetic and anti-tumor effects. 2. To investigate the regulation of glucose and insulin by LLE and UA in HepG2 cells, and to identify the mechanisms by which LLE and UA regulate glucose level. 3. To characterize the impact of LLE and UA on the
Seed Grants
regulation of cancer cell metabolism and the glucose metabolic network using a tracer-based metabolomics approach in both cell lines. Results from this study will increase our knowledge about the loquat plant in opposing both cancer and diabetes complications through the LLE-induced AMPK activation.
MiT/TFE transcription factors are required for metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer
Rushika Perera, PhD Instructor in Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Cancer cells exhibit extensive changes in the way they obtain and utilize nutrients. Such changes allow the cancer cells to most effectively use available resources to generate building blocks for rapid growth and improved survival. These processes are thought to be particularly important in pancreatic cancers, which are characterized by a low amount of blood vessels and consequently reduced nourishment. One important mechanism through which pancreatic cancers cope with this nutrient-poor state is to recycle building blocks, either from damaged cellular
components or by scavenging material from outside the cell. Our work has identified how pancreatic cancer cells are able to very effectively recycle nutrients. We show that a set of genes required for normal cells to survive while being starved for nourishment are highly active in pancreatic cancer. These genes act to turn on the major machinery in the cell that carries out the recycling processes known as autophagy and the lysosome. Our proposed studies aim to fully understand how these processes function and to target them as potential cancer therapies.
Cross talk between PI3K/mTOR & MEK/ERK
Heloisa Soares, MD Resident Physician University of California, Los Angeles
A major challenge with cancer of the pancreas is to identify new treatments and anticipate mechanism of resistance associated with these new treatments. To solve this problem, it is important to have a detailed understanding of the molecular pathways that are targeted by new treatments. We previously found that the clinically relevant inhibitors of the mTOR pathway, a pathway that is activated in pancreatic cancer, lead to over-activation of another pathway, the MAPK pathway,
which can lead to therapy resistance. Detailed characterization and understanding of the kinetics of ERK over-activation (a key element of the MAPK pathway) following the use of PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, will translate to patients at several aspects. We hope that the findings from our research will guide the development of new drugs as well as the development of new drug combinations for patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Seed Grants
continued
Identifying the drivers of pancreatic cancer initiation and progression
Narendra Wajapeyee, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Pathology and Yale Cancer Center Yale University
will determine the role of PON2 as a crucial driver of pancreatic cancer initiation and metastasis and perform experiments to understand how it promotes PDAC growth and metastasis. Finally, we will evaluate the utility of PON2 targeting by a small molecule inhibit to determine its usefulness for effectively treating PDAC. The experimental approach will include genetic and pharmacological approaches and utilize human pancreatic cancer cell lines and pancreatic cancer mouse model based experiments. Collectively, our results will identify and validate new drug targets that that can be pharmacologically inhibited to effectively prevent and treat metastatic pancreatic cancer leading to improved survival of pancreatic cancer patients.
Pancreatic cancer cells differ from normal cells in many different aspects. One aspect of cancer cells that is different from normal cells is their ability to utilize the nutrients by metabolic pathways. Since cancer cells grow faster and more aggressively than the normal cells, they rewire their metabolic pathways to meet their growth requirement. However, which of these altered metabolic pathways are needed for the growth and spread (metastasis) of pancreatic cancer is not known. By using an integrative genomics approach of combining the PDAC patient sample analyses with the functional genomics approach of RNA interference screening, we identified Paraoxanase 2 (PON2) as a gene that is necessary for the growth and spread (metastasis) of pancreatic cancer. This research application
Seed Grant Program Funding 2002 - 2014 8% 11% 38%
13%
30%
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38%
Basic Science/Stem Cell Research
30%
Cancer Therapy
13%
Resource and Core Facilities
11%
Diagnosis
8%
Prevention
Research News By Christopher Wolfgang, MD, PhD, 2006 Seed Grant Recipient, Elizabeth Jaffe, MD and Lei Zheng, MD
Neoadjuvant Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Trial The only chance to cure early stage pancreatic cancer is through surgical removal of the tumor. This requires either a Whipple operation for cancers in the head of the pancreas or a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy for tumors in the tail of the pancreas. Although these are big operations, they can be done safely at hospitals with experience in pancreatic surgery. In addition to being safe these operations are effective in removing the primary tumor. Unfortunately, the risk of recurrence following removal is high and this is the “Achilles Heal” of curing people with localized pancreatic cancer. The common places of cancer recurrence after removal include liver, lung, the inside lining of the abdominal wall (peritoneum) and the tumor bed. This is because long before the tumor is removed, it sheds cancer cells into the lymphatic and the circulatory systems. These cells are called micrometastatic disease and do not show up on any imaging study. Once the tumor is removed these cells continue to grow. Months or years following an operation the cells grow to the point of being a tumor in the common locations of recurrence described above. At that point they are called metastases and this is now Stage IV disease.
Clinicians have known about the high risk of recurrence for a long time and have put a great deal of effort into treatments to eliminate this problem. In medical terms this is called systemic therapy (whereas surgery and radiation are local therapies). Systemic therapies are called adjuvant therapy if they are delivered after surgery and neoadjuvant therapy if it is given before surgery. Several trials have shown that systemic therapy adds a survival benefit to surgery alone. Unfortunately the improvement in survival is small and the rate of recurrence is still very high. Until recently neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy have been traditional chemotherapies. However, Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee and her team have developed a vaccine against pancreatic cancer that teaches a patient’s immune system to police the body and eliminate micrometastatic disease. The vaccine was created with irradiated, banked tumor cells that are genetically engineered to express an immune activation factor called GM-CSF. When this is given to a patient as a vaccine it primes the immune system to attack the cancer. Not only does the vaccine have the potential to be more effective than traditional chemotherapy it also has less side effects since it uses
the body’s own natural methods of fighting a cancer. No toxic chemicals are given as part of this therapy. The preliminary results are promising. It was already shown in a clinical trial that the vaccine therapy given after the surgery (adjuvant) delayed the recurrence and prolonged the life span of patients who generated an immune response to the vaccine. The group at Johns Hopkins is now running a Neoadjuvant Vaccine trial under the direction of Dr. Lei Zheng from the Division of Medical Oncology and Dr. Christopher Wolfgang from the Division of Surgical Oncology. One of the reasons for giving the vaccine before surgery is that the immune system will not be suppressed by the operation. Once the operation is performed the immune system is already primed for the tumor and the inevitable immunosuppression after surgery will not blunt the response. It is still too early to know how effective this will be but Dr. Zheng has already made some interesting and promising observations by studying the tumors once they are removed at operation. For the first time through this innovative clinical trial, they discovered the formation of lymph node like structures within the tumors attrib—continued on page 25
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L.A. Cancer Challenge Honors Teams and Celebrates Survivors By Lisa Manheim
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ver the past 17 years, we have worked to make each LA Cancer Challenge better than ever. We try to raise more money, increase participation, raise awareness, organize a memorable event and honor those that have been impacted by pancreatic cancer. We pour our heart and soul into every detail of the LACC. One of the most important factors we consider each year is how to show our appreciation to our many dedicated team captains. The LACC simply could not be a successful thriving fundraising event without our teams. After receiving a record number of 65 Seed Grant applications in August, and then choosing 10 to fund, we decided to honor three teams by naming a seed grant in their honor. Furthermore, we planned to surprise them at the LA Cancer Challenge in a special check presentation ceremony on the main stage. “I wanted to connect the teams directly to our Seed Grant recipients,” stated Agi Hirshberg. “It is so important for the team captains to see the faces of the scientists that are working so hard to end this disease. And we wanted the doctors to meet the team captains who are helping fund their work. Without their contributions we would not be able to continue to fund key research projects that have the potential to change the outcome of a diagnosis.”
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The first team honored was Marvin’s Marvels, created in memory of Marvin Gussman. Each year a different grandchild of Marvin serves as team captain, and over the past seven years they have raised more than $250,000. In 2015 they were both the largest team and the highest fundraising team. Members of the Gussman family were on stage when Agi Hirshberg announced that a seed grant named in their honor and in memory of Marvin had been awarded to UCLA’s Dr. Heloisa Soares. Soares was present to receive a giant ceremonial check from members of the Gussman family. After the event, Soares spoke about the surprise. “Meeting Marvin’s family was a very emotional and uplifting moment in my life. Their generosity and positivity has motivated and inspired me to work harder towards a cure for pancreatic cancer.” Tears were visible in the eyes of many members of Marvin’s Marvels as well as those in attendance at the event. Before their names were announced, the second team captains to be honored were already getting emotional. Hilla Carrel and her mom, Niza Hacker, started Benny’s Team in memory of Benny Shprung, Hilla’s dad and Niza’s first husband. For the past five years Benny’s team has been 100 members strong. Agi Hirshberg called them onto the stage and announced that a seed
grant named in their honor and in memory of Benny Shprung has been awarded to UCLA’s Qing-Yi Lu. The women then handed their big check over to Dr. Lu and posed for photos. The third honoree, top individual fundraiser Nancy Ellin, was running the 10K when Agi announced that a seed grant named in her honor and in memory of her mom Joan Tucker had been awarded to UCLA’s Shi-He Liu. (Ellin received the ceremonial check after the race.) After the surprise ceremony, the emotion of the morning continued to build. As our Team Tribute video was being played on the big screen, we welcomed onto the stage more than a dozen patients living with pancreatic cancer. Tears poured, voices cheered, hands clapped as we celebrated the SURVIVORS. This was a moment to remember. With the generous support of participants, donors, sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers, this year’s LA Cancer Challenge raised more money than ever before ($794,000 and counting)! The passion, collective energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved allowed us to honor and remember those impacted by pancreatic cancer while supporting the research efforts funded by the Hirshberg Foundation. Preparations have already begun for the 18th Annual LA Cancer Challenge, to be held on Sunday, October 25, 2015. To get more information, please visit www.LACancerChallenge.com.
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L.A. Cancer Challenge Team Highlight: Team Trudy By Peter Fischer
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ur Mom, Gertrude Fischer, was an RN for 45 years, providing care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and psychiatric centers. During the latter years of her career she was a private duty nurse for anyone who needed her assistance. Every day she worked she put on her all-white nursing uniform (white stockings and nursing shoes polished the night before) and lived and breathed her oath to bring comfort and care to the sick and dying. After retiring from nursing (more the result of a changing world for an aging nurse and not because she wanted to retire) she focused her life even more on her children and grandchildren. She adored her many grandchildren from the very moment each one arrived until her last breath. She died with not a penny in her bank account and even left my Dad with a small department store balance — the result of her always showering her friends and family with gifts and adoration. She rarely, if ever, did anything for herself. In July 2003, my Mom was diagnosed with an unresectable malignant tumor of the pancreas. The decision was to pursue medical management. She was offered palliative chemotherapy. I immediately flew out to NY to meet the rest of the family and assist with her care. I will never forget sitting with my Mom in her hospital room as we looked over the trees and well-manicured lawn outside of her room. As her youngest son and physician, and her as a nurse with years of experience with patients who had faced what she was now ultimately facing herself, our conversation was brief and to the point. Between myself and her other physician sons, we had teams awaiting her arrival for further intervention (at that time all palliative and relatively hopeless)— all she had to do is say the word. “Take me home Petee. I want quality over quantity. I want to enjoy my grandchildren,” she said to me as I held her hand and she looked straight
into my eyes. We took her home, set up Hospice care, and with the help of hired round-the-clock assistance and many of her nursing colleagues, gave her as much comfort and dignity that such a process could possibly allow. She passed away 7 shorts weeks from her day of diagnosis. My sister found out about the LA Cancer Challenge in 2005. After our first year we were hooked and started spreading the word that Team Trudy was going to be represented each year at the LACC. Our family of course remembers my Mom on her birthday and we re-live her passing on the anniversary of her death each year. To be perfectly honest, our biggest day is the LACC each October. It is at this event that we honor her life and put forth whatever effort we can in order to see that her struggle with pancreatic cancer was not in vain. Team Trudy is a collaborative effort by family and friends. My sister started things in motion. A good friend who adored my Mom came up with the t-shirt design and then we registered for the event in 2005. The rest is history. To date Team Trudy has raised over $40,000 for pancreatic cancer research. We are focused on doing whatever it is we can do to raise awareness. What I have realized in re-visiting the life of this wonderful woman, is that her life and untimely death has changed me forever. My heart aches every day in knowing that I can’t pick up the phone and call her like I did when she was alive. As trite and cliche as it sounds, a —continued on page 17
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Team Highlight: Dumbledore's Army By Ernest Park
My first LACC was special because it was shortly after my father passed away. It was me, my brother, mom and girlfriend Robyn. This was my mom’s first race and I was excited to be running with my family. At the starting line I turned my back for a second and as I did, the race began and my mom took off. She just started sprinting without the rest of the family; she had run off without us! I had never seen my mom run like that. It was fantastic and all we could do was chase after her. It was, without a doubt, the most amazing start to our first LACC. The LACC showed us that we are not alone in this relentless fight against pancreatic cancer. It is so uplifting to see the tremendous amount of passion and support for finding a cure. The fact that such a community exists and is marching forward to do the amazing work they have been doing is so encouraging. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer November 1, 2009. It is especially fitting
that we honor his memory and life around the darkest time of the year for our family. The LACC has been a remarkable outlet to honor my dad’s life while supporting the pancreatic cancer community. I’m usually apprehensive to ask friends and family to donate or get involved in anything. That fear has faded since seeing the outpouring of support the LACC gathers each year. My wonderful network of friends and family love getting together every year for the race, they get excited and ask how we’re going to top the last year. They were the most amazing group of minions (from Despicable Me) last year and soldiers in Dumbledore’s Army (from the Harry Potter series) this year. They are what drive me and fuel me to organize a team each year. Their willingness to support this amazing organization each year truly means the world to me and I can’t wait for the many years to come.
Running for a cause and having that focus motivates me to think beyond myself. The organization has boosted my confidence and brought light to the subject of pancreatic cancer. Instead of all the negative experiences I’ve had with the disease I can now add every great memory I have had with the Hirshberg Foundation to the list. Pancreatic cancer will always be a part of my life since it took someone so dear to me. I want to be able to support others that are fighting cancer as well as those friends and family members that are battling right alongside them. I love the race and everything it stands for and will continue to support and participate every year!
TEAM TRUDY continued
part of me died the day she left us. Anger, selfishness and frustration get the better of me on many a day. Even on my best day, I cannot even come close to exhibiting the elegance and dignity that this woman did every day until
she passed away. But, I will keep trying. Our Mom was a truly remarkable woman. In reflecting on her life and in honoring her, we honor all who have been lost.
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L.A. Cancer Challenge A Thrilling Adventure for Volunteers By Sarah Banks
In the months leading up to this year’s LA Cancer Challenge a group of amazing volunteers began making plans behind the scenes! The committee included volunteers who had been introduced to the Hirshberg Foundation while participating in one of our past events. What began as brainstorming sessions quickly became a concise plan of how each person wanted to contribute to entertainment, raffle, sponsorship and community outreach. Everyone had a part to play and the contribution was astounding. Thinking outside the box was exciting and challenging as the
group explored new ideas to help make this years’ experience unique. Whether they attended every meeting or made calls and sent emails from home, everyone participated and brought their A-game! The end result was fun entertainment on the course, a raffle with higher ticket sales, new sponsorship, and outreach to more schools and community organizations. For good friends Rosheen Erangey & Gina DeRosa the loss of Gina's mom, Gayle Reed motivated them to join the raffle committee. Rosheen said, “Because we worked on the raffle it was great to see it in action. We were thrilled to actually
see the winners so excited when their numbers were called”! Volunteer Carol Poletti had never even attended the LACC before getting involved with the entertainment committee. “After seeing the event this year, I now have a clearer understanding of how everyone’s contributions came together. And based on the participants’ enthusiastic reaction, I’ve started thinking about what we could do for next year’s event!” The Hirshberg Foundation wants to thank our LACC Volunteer Committee for joining us on this adventure!
Special thanks to: Carol Poletti Rosheen Erangey Gina DeRosa Carmelle Banks Alicia Easter Bethany Jones Lorin Lappin Jen Grohs Brittany Knott Left to Right: Carol, Rosheen, Gina, Allison, Carmelle, Alicia, Sarah
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Getting Creative on the Course For the first time the LA Cancer Challenge included a wide range of performers to keep walker & runners motivated throughout the 5K/10K. Race course entertainers included a Barbershop Quartet, South Bay Country (band), Polynesian Paradise Dancers (hula), Varna (rock band), DJ’s and more! Many thanks to all of the performers who generously gave their time to energize participants and put a little bounce in their step! We asked the entertainers to share their feedback about the event, and here is what they said:
Golden West “It was really humbling not only walking the race once again this year, but also being able to sing the national anthem for the runners. It was an honor to sing for a cause we’re passionate about. Part of what made the experience special for us was seeing just how many people care about curing and fighting this disease. It’s a wonderful memory we will never forget.”
South Bay Country
Varna
“We were honored to participate in the LA Cancer Challenge. Watching the participants take pictures, dance for a moment or just clap and smile made us feel like we were a part of the effort. Music touches people and brings energy and joy. If only for a moment we were able to bring some joy to your supporters. Fight on and we hope to see you again next year!”
“Wow! What an amazing, inspiring and successful event. We had the time of our lives and it was so amazing to bring a smile to people's faces with our music. We were so honored to make this happen. Congrats on surpassing your donation goal!”
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Host an Event & Inspire Action FUNDRAISING IDEAS Share a Hobby • • • •
Poker or Casino Night Game Day Bowl-A-Thon Cook-Off
Feeling Fancy • Dinner Gala • Trunk Show (Jewelry or Clothes) • Luncheon
Pick Your Passion • Golf Tournament • Concert or Music Performance • Fishing Tournament
Fitness Fun • 5K Walk • Team up for a Mud Run • Cycling
Keep it Simple • • • •
Rummage/Garage Sale Ice Cream Social Restaurant Dine-Out & Give-Back Birthday Party
Start Planning Your Special Event Today!
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Become a champion in the fight against pancreatic cancer by creating an event in your community! Supporters inspire us every day with exciting new fundraising ideas both big and small in an effort to bring people together for a purpose. Hosting an event is not only an opportunity to fundraise for pancreatic cancer- it’s a special way to pay tribute to a loved one. Across the country event hosts passionately share our message of hope and rally their loved ones, colleagues, and members of the community to help fund research that will one day lead to a cancer-free life. Make a difference in your own special way by hosting a dinner party, elaborating on a favorite pastime or family tradition, planning a golf tournament or a 5k. If you’re passionate about it we’ll help you get started! For more information, email Sarah Banks at sbanks@pancreatic.org.
Event Spotlight: Culinary Tasting Event Cooks Up a Cure By Elissa Oblath
Among the many amazing events hosted by our passionate supporters to benefit our foundation during 2014, Cooking for a Cure stands out as the tastiest. Plan Check Bar + Kitchen graciously offered a wonderful setting and Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimira welcomed a dazzling array of fellow chefs to serve up delicious bites. Joining Chef Ernesto were “Top Chef ” champ Michael Voltaggio, chef Josef Centeno of Bäco Mercat & Bar Ama fame, award-winning BierBeisl Chef/Owner Bernhard Mairinger, Waterloo & City chef and a food TV rising star Brendan Collins and James Beard-nominated culinary masters Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Held to benefit pancreatic cancer research, with an emphasis on the emotional support provided by the Hirshberg Foundation’s relationship to the Simms-Mann Center at UCLA, the event raised over $17,000. The event board, a passionate group of friends including Jeff Price, Terry Heller, Joey Leff, Jessica Sorgini and Gay Harwin, came together to support a friend currently in treatment. From Voltaggio’s delicate asparagus with horseradish
powder and caviar to Shook & Dotolo’s crispy-skinned and juicy smoked chicken leg to Uchimura’s creamy cheesy grits topped with the perfect egg and fresh green peas, there was something for everyone. Centeno brought a burrito twist on his signature bäco with pork asada and beef albondigas with a creamy tomato sauce and just the right heat. Collins’ veal tongue with uni on a dark toast topped with apricots and a porcini was a crowd favorite for its play on textures and strong flavors. Mairinger’s sous chef came prepared with his purple apron to serve up seared duck breast appropriately paired with a purple cabbage salad. With the windows open and a summer breeze, the intimate afternoon allowed participants to mingle with chefs and friends while supporting pancreatic cancer. A Tito’s Vodka, watermelon and mint passed punch was available as well as specialty jalapeno-infused cocktail by Livigni + Moix and Matthew Biancaniello’s famous Breeder’s Cup. To say the afternoon was a culinary adventure is to say the least! But to think that it all benefited pancreatic cancer patients was the most delicious part of all. YOU CAN HOPE OR YOU CAN HELP™
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Catching Up with the 6th Annual Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament By Sarah Banks
In 2012, we featured a story about Brad Dal Bon and the annual golf tournament his family hosts in memory of both his parents. We are happy to share that this six year tradition has raised nearly $30,000! The event has become a way for their family to “catch up on a yearly basis.” Brad and his wife Amy organize the golf tournament for 75 golfers, plan activities for the day of and collect raffle prizes from community sponsors all in midst of
their busy lives with two sons. Their commitment is being passed on, “Having our sons see how passionate we are about this helps them want to get involved in the future,” writes Brad. And it isn’t just the Dal Bon family that has been inspired. “The community involvement with sponsors, golfers and friends has been amazing.” In regards to next year, Brad states, “Obviously, the cause is very important… We are just looking forward to year 7! “
6 Years and Going Strong! Thrill In Da-Ville 5K By Janet Francis
The 6th Annual Thrill In Da-Ville 5K was held on Saturday, August 30th 2014 and there was quite a turn out with faces new and old... or should I say veteran faces! This was the first year with our very own banner! And have I mentioned over $15,000 has been raised so far? We tossed t-shirts after the medal presentations and “Tribble Funnies Awards,” and the raffle was HUGE! Congratulations to all who participated and a very heartfelt thank you to all who sponsored this event or made a donation. I am humbled by the outpouring of love from everyone who came to help us celebrate the life of two very spe22
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cial people: Nancy Tribble and Larry Lindquist. Thanks to everyone for your help with this most worthy cause. Set your calendars! September 5, 2015 is the 7th Annual Thrill In Da-Ville 5K in Dawsonville, Georgia! #ThrillInDaVille2015
Event Spotlight
Race Car Spreads Awareness on the Road By Elissa Oblath
The beauty of our 3rd party event program is seeing all the wonderful, ingenious ways our supporters find ways to help us raise pancreatic cancer awareness. No one demonstrates that more than Mitchell Tan.
through his emails and his enthusiasm is contagious. Luckily the LA Cancer Challenge was around the corner and we realized Mitchell and his car would be the perfect addition.
Mitchell contacted us this summer with the idea to wrap his drift car in purple to raise pancreatic cancer awareness. There was a resounding, “Of course! But what is drifting?” Mitchell, a young driver with dedication, patiently explained practicing turns and perfecting donuts. (It is a lot like the driving featured in The Fast & The Furious movies.)
Mitchell’s car was part of our 2014 LACC Fit Family Expo, where he was “able to share [his] story, and give exposure to the team in… a broader perspective.” Mitchell reminds us “that no matter what, even in the absence of a loved one… we can keep striving.” Mitchell is excited to raise pancreatic cancer awareness in the drift community, “we are reaching out to a whole new society… and showing our family that even after death, there is still a fight to be won.”
Mitchell isn’t just passionate about drifting; he’s motivated to make a difference. Mitchell and MTRacing are dedicated to honoring the memory of Mitchell’s uncle Rudyard. “If there was one thing I've learned when [Rudyard] was around it was to never give up, and to keep on keepin' on,” something Mitchell remembers when he’s drifting. Once Mitchell had his car wrapped with our logo and a giant purple ribbon along its length, he set up a fund to share his story. Mitchell’s desire to raise awareness shines
When asked about the future, Mitchell is quick to state, “I feel this is a start of not only a new campaign, but a life-long mission that I hope to carry with me while I compete in the Formula Drift, and keep raising awareness for this disease. We hope to have a positive impact on others the way the community has [had] on our team, and to give back. The 2015 season has a lot in store for us, and we are more than happy to have this great cause with us every step of the way.”
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Patient & Family Support Hirshberg Foundation Launches New Roadmap Program By Allison Miller
The Hirshberg Foundation is excited to announce the launch of our 2015 Roadmap Program, a new tool to assist patients and caregivers navigating through treatment and a new normal. The program is an extension of our personalized patient and family support services with a focus on improving quality of life. Attendees will benefit from interactive and informative workshops as well as useful resources available locally and nationwide. The Roadmap Program kicked-off in October with an overwhelming positive response. In November we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Allan Frankel who serves on the Physicians Executive Board of the California Society for Clinical Cannabis and Dr. Irene Kim who works with patients at the UCLA Center for EastWest Medicine. The patient workshops include a light lunch and feature a guest speaker in the comfort of a support group atmosphere. Each session is tailored to accommodate the unique needs of patients and families. All the workshops are held in our offices and attendance is free.
Upcoming topics for 2015 Alternative & Holistic Treatment Art Therapy Nutritional Guidance Laugh Therapy Resources We encourage participants to suggest any new topics prevalent to their care.
For more information contact our Patient and Family Support Coordinator, Allison Miller, at (310) 473-5121 or amiller@pancreatic.org
Save the Date – FEBRUARY 28, 2015 11TH ANNUAL
AGI HIRSHBERG SYMPOSIUM ON PANCREATIC CANCER
UCLA FACULTY CENTER • LOS ANGELES CA www.Pancreatic.org/symposium
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Patient Story My New Normal By Jeff Ross
I was diagnosed April 11, 2014. Adenosarcoma was the diagnosis with mets to the liver. My wife, Shareen, found out about Agi’s great work so we attended a ‘Game Day’ event in Brentwood where I first met both Agi and Allison. I can’t speak highly enough about them both. They’ve been extremely helpful in getting me into UCLA. Dr. Schwartz at Kaiser Woodland Hills has been my oncologist. He believes in me being active and doing things that I enjoy in life - things to keep me looking forward! I also see Dr. Lucy Postolov, an acupuncturist, and have had second opinions with great doctors like Dr. Lee Rosen at UCLA. Combined they have all given me hope, inspiration, and great treatments. My “new normal” is to do something good for myself as often as I can. This includes using a trainer to get stronger, or taking yoga classes with my wife to help improve balance and get more meditative. My wife Shareen inspires me with her positive attitude. The ups are the weeks off from chemo and going out to see concerts and friends. The downs are the side effects of chemo, neuropathy in my fingers and toes and the G.I. side effects as well. The new normal is to accept the diagnosis, and to fight every day against the disease but to also appreciate that life is truly a gift and to have gratitude for things each day. My wife and I are foodies, so we have a few special places we like to go to celebrate the little victories. We plan on doing a lot of traveling which we enjoy. I bought a new camera, as photography is a hobby and it gives me a lot of pleasure to get out and take pictures. I still maintain my literary management business,
Jeff and Shareen Ross
and reading clients’ new material helps motivate me in addition to getting them where they want to go. My wife Shareen, my family and friends are my biggest supporters. This October my wife organized 13 people to join Team Jeff for the 17th Annual LA Cancer Challenge. Our nephew Justin designed the t-shirts with the baseball motif “we’re going to knock cancer out of the ballpark!” We raised over $2,300, my sister and her boyfriend came out from New Jersey, and we all finished the 3.1 miles!
Neoadjuvant Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Trial continued from page 13
(L to R) Agi Hirshberg, Christopher Wolfgang, MD, PhD; and Lei Zheng, MD
uted to the vaccine therapy. Dr. Zheng and his group feel that this is likely evidence of the tumor being attacked by the immune system. The work on this tissue has also suggested that anti PD-1 therapy may augment the activity of the vaccine and this will be included in an upcoming neoadjuvant vaccine trial. This gives them hope that the immune system is seeking out and destroying the micrometastatic disease wherever it may hide before it grows into metastases.
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Patient Story Cancer Changes Everything By Rayva L.G. Harrell
I
n this month and season that the world sets aside for Thanksgiving, I am gently reminded each day of the many things God has given me to be thankful for. Of course this includes my family, friends, and dream team of angels. But most of the ordinary things we forget or assume to be a normal way of life - springing out of bed without nausea, a simple trip to the grocery store without a mask, energy that lasts throughout the day without a nap(s) or the simple refreshing taste of water that now assumes the metallic chemical taste of the poison that could provide life. Cancer changes everything!!! I was given a book very shortly after my stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis (with metastasis to my liver). It is called What Cancer Cannot Do - Stories of Hope and Encouragement. The book sat for days, weeks, even after I had begun my first chemo treatment. My admittance and acceptance had not sunk in yet. Was this book for ME? However one morning when I was in a very dark place I reached for the book of simple stories, scriptures of peace laced with information to encourage, many from survivors. It soothed my soul and has often been what I need in the wee hours between the moon of night and sunrise of another day. Cancer has become my wake up call. I believe that God must have given me all of this because he knew I could handle it (Oh yes, in May I also suffered a stroke). In the 8 short weeks since I began chemo treatment, amongst anger, sadness, disbelief, and emotions that flip like a switch, I have discovered a new found relationship of thanksgiving for the awareness of life and living. On October 25th when picking up my LA Cancer Challenge bib number for the walk the next day, I met
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Rayva Harrell (center) with teammates
Allison Miller, a warm and friendly woman who then introduced me to Ms. Agi Hirshberg who greeted me with a loving embrace that will never be forgotten. My acquaintance to this disease is new and unfamiliar still but my initiation to the Hirshberg Foundation feels like home. The work that the Foundation continues doing year after year, season after season is true through the efforts of research and endless hours of dedication, education, and determination of finding a cure for this beast. If it’s truly the work that God has called us to do, then he will help us do it, and we will find goodness and fulfillment in it. As the year closes out and a new one of hope begins, let us all remember to be thankful the entire year round. All are not called for the same purpose, and all will fight and not win the battle. However "there is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great and no tonic so powerful, as expectation of something better tomorrow."
Our 2015 Signature Events FEB 28 2015
11 th Annual Hirshberg Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer
Hirshberg Training Team – LA Marathon MAR 15 2015
February 28, 2015 UCLA Faculty Center – Westwood, CA www.Pancreatic.org/symposium
18 th Annual LA Cancer Challenge 5k/10k
3 rd Annual Tour de Pier MAY 17 2015
March 15, 2015 Mile Marker 21.1 – Brentwood, CA www.HirshbergTrainingTeam.com
OCT 25 2015
May 17, 2015 Manhattan Beach, CA www.TourdePier.com
October 25, 2015 Los Angeles, CA www.LACancerChallenge.com
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The Hirshberg Foundation is an Official Charity Partner of the 2015 ASICS LA Marathon! HirshbergTrainingTeam.com
Run the L.A. Marathon (or two-person marathon relay) with us and we will help you cross the finish line with our personalized training program. Every step you take towards the finish line helps us cure pancreatic cancer. ASICS LA MARATHON MARCH 15, 2015