When I lost my husband Ron to pancreatic cancer at 54, it motivated a desire to advance science, help patients, and find a cure for pancreatic cancer, to eradicate this disease on behalf of all families effected.
Agi Hirshberg, Founder
Purpose And Mission
The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is focused on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, and empowering the patients and families whose lives are touched by this disease Founded in 1997, the foundation funds groundbreaking scientific research, provides patient education and support, and sustains hope that this cancer will be eradicated once and for all
Mission
To find a cure for pancreatic cancer in honor of Ron Hirshberg and the thousands of people who are diagnosed with this disease each year.
To create a premier Pancreatic Cancer Center where all needs of pancreatic cancer patients can be met in one location with the most advanced treatment options
To be recognized as a patient support reference source for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
To fund projects and programs designed to improve patient care, treatment and, ultimately, pancreatic cancer survival rates.
To integrate and unite generations, young and old, through physical fitness participation, while creating public awareness and raising money to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.
The Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Consortium (PRECEDE)
PRECEDE is bringing together an international, multi-institutional collaborative group of experts with the aim to increase the 5-year survival rate from 10% to 50% in the next 10 years. The Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases involvement in this study will help maximize identification and advance early detection of pancreatic cancer Patients with a family history or individuals who carry pathogenic genes will be able to enroll for long term surveillance.
SeedGrantProgramOverview
Since 2005, the Foundation Seed Grant program has been extremely successful in providing research support to basic and clinical scientists and investigators. Our goal is to provide early funding for basic scientists and clinicians to test innovative ideas for improving diagnosis and develop new treatment modalities for pancreatic cancer.
In August, a remarkable 126 Seed Grant applications were received, setting a record for the Foundation Submissions poured in from locations across the United States and internationally, with a notable emphasis on collaborative initiatives involving multiple research institutions. We are delighted to unveil the 2023 Seed Grant Cohort with projects spanning early detection, treatment, immunotherapy, and basic science
You
our Seed Grant Program video.
2023 Seed Grants
To date, The Hirshberg Foundation’s International Seed Grant program has funded a total of 121 grants at 51 renowned medical and research institutions across the country Every project funded will work to advance pancreatic cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers receiving funding this year include both individual and collaborative projects Our Seed Grant program continues to promote the expansion of pancreatic cancer programs nationally and internationally, as well as collaborations within the scientific community. We congratulate the awardees.
Dr Sahin-Toth, Agi Hirshberg, Dr Hines, and Dr Donahue
Associate Professor Department of Medicine, Endocrinology
University of California, Los Angeles
Neema Jamshidi, MD, PhD
Associate Professor Department of Radiological Sciences
University of California, Los Angeles
Investigating the role of PFKFB3 polymorphism and lactate signaling on pancreatic tumor promotion in diabetes
2023SeedGrantRecipients
COLLABORATIVE SEED GRANTS
O. Joe Hines, MD Professor and Chair Department of Surgery
University of California, Los Angeles
Michael DeLong, MD Associate Professor Department of Surgery
University of California, Los Angeles
Utilizing a novel integrative multi-omic platform to detect early stage pancreatic cancer
John P Morris IV, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Justin Milner, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Microbiology & Immunology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Determining the roles of Kras and p53 on the PDAC immune microenvironment and immune checkpoint efficacy.
Tamas Gonda Associate Professor Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology
New York University, Grossman School of Medicine
Peter Hegyi, MD Professor and Director Institute for Pancreatic Diseases
Semmelweis University
Radiomic and machine learning approaches to detect pancreatic cancer in patients presenting with acute pancreatitis in a large prospective cohort study.
In 2023, the Foundation funded 8 new Seed Grants that will continue to drive research and advance our understanding of this disease These new projects are focused on therapy and immunotherapy, early detection, and cancer biology.
2023SCIENTIFICUPDATES
“We have the brightest in the world focusing on the disease and the change in these statistics reflects all of our hard work as a community. Witnessing this change in the statistics will hopefully be gratifying for our supporters who continue to fight for a cure and our patients who deserve to live a long and healthy life”
Lisa Manheim Executive Director
Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in CT Imaging
In 2023, the Foundation sponsored a groundbreaking symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Pancreatic Cancer at the American Pancreatic Association (APA) Annual Meeting. The lectures were led by researchers from Mayo Clinic, Cedars Sinai, and MD Anderson Cancer Center each discussing innovation in the AI space as it relates to early detection and diagnostic tests.
Prehabilitation Program to prepare patients for surgery
A study of the patient-caregiver dyad, a prehabilitation program to prepare patients for surgery, is about to launch. This research effort will evaluate the ability of mindfulness interventions to alleviate the distress caregivers can experience, which can in turn affect the patient’s trajectory A main component of the program, will be the Nutrition for Safer Surgeries program; among other elements. Work is underway toward standardizing the collection of patient-reported outcomes and experience measures and developing a dedicated pancreatic cancer clinical information system data registry to improve care delivery
2023SCIENTIFICUPDATES
UCLA SCIENTISTS MEETING
This past October, we hosted a gathering of scientists and researchers working on pancreatic cancer research at UCLA, highlighting some of our past Seed Grant awardees. With the goal of sharing innovative work across disciplines, connect researchers, and foster collaboration, it was an inspiring afternoon.
Alexandra Demcsak, MD, PhD
2022 Seed Grant researcher, Alexandra Demcsak, MD, PhD, looked into hereditary pancreatitis, an early-onset form of chronic pancreatitis caused by mutations in the digestive proteases (enzymes that break down proteins)
Recent findings provide support for the concept that misfolding CPA1 mutants are risk factors for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, deepening our understanding of how chronic inflammation promotes tumor growth in the pancreas.
2022 Seed Grant Awardee, Evan Abt, PhD, uncovered new mechanisms that restrain anti-tumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. The suppression of the immune response is partly due to unexpected crosstalk between metabolic and immune networks. These insights provide a rationale for new therapeutic interventions to unleash immune responses targeting pancreatic cancer.
2022 Seed Grant Awardee, Jason Link, PhD, looked at the anti-tumor immune response that takes place in tertiary lymph structures to understand if these structures can be therapeutically ignited as a treatment avenue Patients with poor outcomes fail to generate these immune responses due to ineffective signals between the tumor and immune cells, but these signals are therapeutically targetable
Evan Abt, PhD
Jason Link, PhD
PATIENTPROGRAMS
Patient Resources & Partnerships
One-On-One Support
Through direct patient interactions, the Foundation provided invaluable support services to over 200 newly diagnosed patients & families
Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer
The Symposium videos and educational webinars help pancreatic cancer patients & caregivers learn from top medical professionals, share their stories and connect with one another.
At the Center, patients and their loved ones can receive holistic, groundbreaking care in one central office
Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases
SYMPOSIUM&EDUCATION
WATCH SYMPOSIUM VIDEOS & WEBINARS
A significant part of our patient resource program is our annual Symposium where we bring together medical professionals, pancreatic cancer patients, caregivers and families to share in a day of learning, science, and most importantly, stories of hope and encouragement Our goal each year is to educate, empower and engage our pancreatic cancer community
This year’s Symposium included important topics such as diagnosing and treatment of pancreatic cysts, the importance of having a palliative care doctor on your team, dietary management postdiagnosis, and what to consider when choosing to participate in a clinical trial. The day concluded with our ever-inspirational Panel Discussion, highlighting different perspectives from survivors and caregivers.
Through direct patient interactions, in 2023 the Hirshberg Foundation provided invaluable support services to over 200 newly diagnosed patients and their families Their Patient & Family Webinars and Symposium videos help pancreatic cancer patients & caregivers learn from top medical professionals, share their stories and connect with one another.
GENETIC COUNSELING WEBINAR
As part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, the Foundation offered an interactive Zoom webinar, Ask a Genetic Counselor: A Q&A to learn about testing and risks with UCLA’s Wendy Conlon, MS, CGC. This event, perfect for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer or those who have questions for a genetic counselor, addressed how knowing your family history and your genetic makeup can affect medical care options for you and your loved ones. Watch the recorded webinar to learn more on this topic.
PATIENTRESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS
NCCN GUIDELINES
The latest version of the Guidelines for Patients: Pancreatic Cancer, sponsored by the Hirshberg Foundation, provides information to help patients and their families navigate a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in an empowered and informed way. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) brings together top cancer centers across the United States to improve cancer care through their vast collection of Guidelines for Patients The Hirshberg Foundation is proud to support this great work to ensure that all patients and caregivers receive the most up-to-date information to assist them through their cancer journey.
SIMMS/ MANN PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE
The Simms Mann Center maintains a presence in the Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases and community clinics, reaching out to patients with pancreatic cancer and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance. The holistic approach, including individual counseling, educational programming, support groups, mindfulness, and art therapy, reflects the commitment of the Simms Mann Center and the Hirshberg Foundation to enhancing the well-being of individuals facing pancreatic cancer Staff includes psychiatrists, registered dieticians, and interfaith chaplains providing psychiatric evaluation, nutritional guidance, and spiritual support.
The annual report from our esteemed financial aid partners at CancerCare outlines how Foundation assistance has provided funds to survivors for transportation, copays, treatment, and more. This enduring relationship has been pivotal to extending support to patients across the country through a modest onetime stipend.
AGI HIRSHBERG CENTER FOR
PANCREATICDISEASES
A pillar of our Foundation mission was “to create a premier Pancreatic Cancer Center where all needs of pancreatic cancer patients can be met in one location with the most advanced treatment options.”
The UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases will soon be moving to a beautiful new space. We’ve had a celebratory sneak peek and look forward to sharing more when the Center opens this summer. This gorgeous new space will offer patients and loved ones world-class integrative care in one convenient location.
The center is recognized by the National Pancreas Foundation as a Clinical and Academic Center of Excellence for both pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, awarded separately. Patients and caretakers are able to see surgeons, medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, palliative care specialists, dieticians, genetic counselors, clinical trials coordinators, and therapists from the Simms-Mann psychosocial care team all in one location and often in one visit. Only 132 centers are recognized in each category for their whole-person, multidisciplinary treatment of patients The UCLA Hirshberg Center’s clinical trial portfolio is among the strongest in the country Trials have robust patient enrollment, with collaboration across multidisciplinary teams
We are honored to welcome Dr Timothy Donahue as the new Director of the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases. Dr. Donahue is the Garry Shandling Chair of Pancreatic Cancer Surgery, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, and Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at UCLA. He is an expert in the treatment of pancreatic disease and oversees a NIH funded research program focused on pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Timothy Donahue
UCLAPARTNERSHIP
2023 UCLA ACTIVITY SUMMARY
A true highlight from our UCLA program is that the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases is moving to a beautiful new space where patients and their loved ones can receive holistic, state-of-the-art care in one central location.
Our newest program at UCLA is the Nutrition for Safer Surgeries developed by Shelby Yaceczko, a highly skilled dietician. The program provides patients with medical nutrition services to enhance quality of life during cancer treatment.
The Robotic Surgery program is also of special interest. Led by Dr. Mark Girgis, a past Seed Grant recipient, the Robotic Surgery program continues to gain momentum. The minimally invasive technique improves long-term recovery prospects and expands the patient population eligible for surgery.
Together, these programs are improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The UCLA Report includes udates from our Hirshberg Laboratories:
Sahin-Toth Laboratory
Led by: Scientific Advisory Board Chair, Dr Miklos Sahin-Toth
Ronald S. Hirshberg Chair in Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research
Led by: Dr J Enrique Rozengurt
Ronald S. Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory
Led by: Guido Eibl, M.D.
READ THE COMPLETE 2023 REPORT
GLOBALAWARENESS
WorldPancreatic CancerDay
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is a time for communities around the globe to come together to renew their dedication and help raise awareness for this disease. It is a global day of action that gives us a unique opportunity to make sure our voices are heard Join us in shining a light on this disease – your actions have power.
November
November is a month of empowerment, education, and inspiration for communities far and wide who have been touched by pancreatic cancer. It is our opportunity to shine a light on this disease, to elevate our voices to raise awareness and to invite others to join us on the journey towards a cure. Show your support this November by following these four simple calls-toaction: Celebrate, Educate, Dedicate and Participate!
As a member of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition we recognize and celebrate that we are not alone in this fight. The Hirshberg Foundation along with more than 100 member organizations from more than 40 countries across six continents, are raising awareness and inspiring action.
