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LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program Newsletter VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 | AUG 2021
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WELCOME
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We are excited to share the first edition of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Charles and Mary Ann LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program
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Newsletter! This newsletter was created to provide updates on a variety of topics from innovative new research to exciting clinical trials as well as highlight patient stories. We hope that this will be an
Episodes available bi-weekly on iTunes, Sticher, iHeart Radio, and Podbean
informative and engaging resource about the program. If you have a story or topic that you would like featured in a future edition, please email us at mcwpancreas@mcw.edu. As always, we are grateful for your interest and support of the program! Susan Tsai MD, MHS Professor & Director of the LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program
Episodes available on the 1st of every month on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Radio Public
For subscription questions or comments related to this newsletter, please contact us at mcwpancreas@mcw.edu or call 414-955-1423.
KATHY'S HOUSE OPENS NEW LOCATION! Kathy’s House is a non-profit Hospital Guest House that provides lodging and a supportive environment to families who are experiencing one of life’s most stressful situations - personal illness or the serious illness of a loved one. On June 7, 2021, Kathy’s House welcomed guests to their new location on the Milwaukee Regional Medical
Photo credit: John Magnoski Photography
Campus, just steps away from Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. The new location is fully ADA compliant and features 36 guest rooms, doubling the capacity of the previous facility. Guest rooms are located in the two wings of the facility – one wing is reserved for immunecompromised patients and their caregivers. Common spaces include a fully equipped kitchen, inviting dining and living areas, patios, and verandas. Guests also have access to a fitness center, walking trail, and meditation room. The nature-focused design emphasizes natural light and green space for a peaceful retreat. There is also dedicated space for contracted health care staff to administer basic procedures such as blood draws and fluids. The mission of Kathy’s House is “A hospital guest house committed to providing affordable lodging and caring support in a home-away-from-home environment for families who need to travel to Milwaukee for medical care.” The organization is the only hospital guest house in the area that serves patients of all ages and their caregivers and assists all hospitals in Milwaukee. With the expanded number of guest rooms and home-away-from-home accommodations, Kathy’s House is able to keep families together during the difficult time of diagnosis and treatment by providing lodging, transportation, and emotional support to patients of all ages and their families. For more information on Kathy’s House, or to donate to the capital campaign, please visit their website at www.kathyshouse.org. There is currently a challenge match going on – your donation will be doubled! With under $500,000 left to raise of the $12 million Photo credit: John Magnoski Photography
campaign, all donations are greatly appreciated! Pancreatic Cancer Program Updates | Volume I, Issue 1
MEET DANIEL WINKELMAN In 2018, while on a missionary trip with my wife in Myanmar, I was in a small bike accident. After a few trips to the hospital I was diagnosed with a back sprain. A few weeks later, I kept feeling that something wasn’t right. After more tests and hospital visits, I received an unexpected diagnosis of stage 3 pancreatic cancer. My family and I were devastated.
Have a story you'd like to share? Please email us at: mcwpancreas@mcw.edu
While researching treatment options in the United States, my son kept seeing that the LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program were leaders in pancreatic cancer care. Two days after I returned to the US, I had my first appointment with Dr. Douglas Evans at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Meeting Dr. Evans and his team was the first hope my family and I felt since the diagnosis. It was a dark day until we met him and his amazing team. We knew we were in the right place with the right people. I am now about three years out since my diagnosis and have completed all treatments, including surgery. My wife and I are still very active in our missions to Myanmar.
MEET THE RESEARCH TEAM Can you introduce yourself and describe your role on the team?
My name is Mohammed Aldakkak, M.D. and I am an Instructor in the Department of Surgery and have been a member of the Pancreatic Cancer Program since 2014. I oversee the Pancreatic Cancer Database and am responsible for conducting all data analysis. How have you contributed to pancreatic cancer research?
I have worked extensively to understand the importance of CA 19-9 monitoring during neoadjuvant therapy. I have presented this work at an annual meeting of the Americas HepatoPancreato-Biliary Association and it is published in the journal HPB. I am currently studying the impact of rate of
change in CA 19-9 as it relates to outcomes. What do you enjoy most about working with the Pancreatic Cancer Program?
I enjoy talking to patients and explaining the goals of the Surgical Oncology Tissue Bank. I like working in a team atmosphere and enjoy making new connections with other researchers in and out of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Mohammed Aldakkak, M.D. Instructor, Department of Surgery
How do you like to spend your free time?
I have a variety of interests outside of the office including computer programming, studying mathematics and physics, and practicing soccer. I have always dreamed of playing soccer professionally one day.
Pancreatic Cancer Program Updates | Volume I, Issue 1
CLINICAL TRIALS 101 To advance the treatment of complex diseases like pancreatic cancer, clinical trials are of the utmost importance. It is crucial for patients and their families to understand the clinical trial approval process in order to make informed treatment decisions. Clinical trials are designed to test new
CLINCAL TRIAL PHASES What, Who, and Why
ways to prevent, detect, or treat a disease. They involve human volunteers and are often considered the best way to advance medical treatments and knowledge. When a patient agrees to take part in a
PHASE 1 This phase emphasizes safety. The goal here is to determine what the drug's most frequent side effects are and often how the drug is metabolized and excreted.
About 20-80 individuals are typically enrolled.
PHASE 2 This phase emphasizes effectiveness of the treatment. This goal is to obtain preliminary data on whether the drug or treatment protocol works in people who have a certain disease or condition.
clinical trial, they continue to receive currently accepted care along with the new study treatment. Clinical study treatments undergo several phases prior to receiving approval by the Food and Drug Administration for use in humans.
Generally 100-300 people with the condition being studied are enrolled
PHASE 3 These studies gather more information about safety and effectiveness, study different populations, and different dosages.
Around 300-3000 people with the condition being studied are enrolled
PHASE 4 This is the post-marketing phase and the drug or treatment is on the market for use. The role of this phase is to detect serious unexpected adverse events and to act when needed.
Several thousand people prescribed the treatment are followed at this stage
95%
Currently, the MCW LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program has six clinical trials open to enrolling patients with pancreatic cancer. The following page lists these clinical trials and provides more detailed information about them. Clinical trials help transform medicine and have farreaching implications for future treatments. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please use the contact information provided on the following page to connect with the study team.
of clinical trial participants said they would consider joining another clinical trial Pancreatic Cancer Program Updates | Volume I, Issue 1
https://www.mcw.edu/departments/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-clinical-trial Clinical Trial: Adaptive Modification of Neoadjuvant Therapy Based on Clinical Response in Patients with Localized Pancreatic Cancer (PANC Trial) NCT#: NCT03322995 | STUDY PI: Dr. Susan Tsai | COORDINATOR: Haley Heaviland | PHONE: 414-805-8696 Study Design: A single arm, Phase II clinical trial utilizing neoadjuvant therapy and surgery for patient with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma which utilizes a total neoadjuvant approach with adaptive modification of the chemotherapy regimen based on radiographic response (CT scan), biochemical response (CA 19-9 decline), and performance status (as measured by a short physical performance battery).
Clinical Trial: PurIST Classification-Guided Adaptive Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy by RNA Expression Profiling of EUS SAmples Study (PANCREAS Trial) NCT#: NCT04683315 | STUDY PI: Dr. Susan Tsai | COORDINATOR: Haley Heaviland | PHONE: 414-805-8696 Study Design: An open label, single arm, phase II study in patients with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.
Clinical Trial: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy or Conventionally Fractionated Concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Preoperatively for Resectable or Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (SOFT Trial) NCT#: NCT03704662 | STUDY PI: Dr. William Hall | COORDINATOR: Haley Heaviland | PHONE: 414-805-8696 Study Design: This study is a prospective, open-label, randomized, Phase II clinical trial comparing preoperative fractionated radiation therapy versus stereotactic body radiation therapy for resectable, borderline, or locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Clinical Trial: A Study of Creon (Pancrelipase) in Resected and Non-resected Pancreatic Cancer Participants with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) NCT#: NCT03859869 | STUDY PI: Dr. Dua Kulwinder | COORDINATOR: Sheila Thierfelder | PHONE: 414-805-7372 Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, 2-cohort study examining the efficacy and safety of 2 pancrelipase doses in subjects with EPI due to pancreatic cancer that has been resected. This study will include resected subjects who are post pancreatic surgery and a single arm cohort in non-resected subjects.
Clinical Trial: MR Guided Phase II Radiotherapy Does Escalation in Unresectable Non-Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer NCT#: NCT01972919 | STUDY PI: Dr. Beth Erickson | COORDINATOR : Barb Dion | PHONE: 414-805-4639 Study Design: A single arm, Phase II clinical trial utilizing neoadjuvant therapy and surgery for patient with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma which utilizes a total neoadjuvant approach with adaptive modification of the chemotherapy regimen based on radiographic response (CT scan), biochemical response (CA 19-9 decline), and performance status (as measured by a short physical performance battery).
Clinical Trial: A Study to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Irinotecan Liposome Injection, 5fluorouracil/Leucovorin Plus Oxaliplatin in Patients Not Previously Treated for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, Compared to Nab-paclitaxel+Gemcitabine Treatment (NAPOLI 3) NCT#: NCT04083235 | STUDY PI: Dr. Mandana Kamgar | COORDINATOR: Barb Dion | PHONE: 414-805-4639 Study Design: An open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase III study of Irinotecan Liposome Injection, Oxaliplatin, 5fluorouracil/Leuovorin versus Nab-paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine in subjects who have not previously received chemotherapy for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Pancreatic Cancer Program Updates | Volume I, Issue 1
PURPLE POST LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program Newsletter