Winter/Spring 2019 Newsletter of the Lustgarten Foundation

PROGRESS PROMISE WINTER/SPRING 2019 Newsletter of the Lustgarten GENERATE: Foundation A Better Future for Families Affected by Pancreatic Cancer Genetics play a role in up to 10 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. However, family members of pancreatic cancer patients often are not aware that certain genetic mutations can be passed down, which is why having information about genetic risk is so important. The GENERATE (GENetic Education, Risk Assessment, and TEsting) Study is designed for people who have a close relative with pancreatic cancer that was caused by an inherited mutation in a gene. The goal of this study, which will enroll up to 1,000 participants, is to improve genetic testing and cancer prevention in family members of pancreatic cancer patients with identified mutations. If a family member does have an inherited The end goals of GENERATE are to risk, there may be options for preventing follow the family members with identified cancer or detecting it early at a curable stage mutations through innovative screening via frequent cancer screening. However, it is and interception programs led by other important to note that most individuals with members of the Dream Team, including an inherited mutation will not develop pan- conducting the first in-human prevention creatic cancer, and that pancreatic cancer trials in these individuals with a vaccine, is relatively rare. It is also important to note and also to study the blood from the at-risk that this testing may indicate risks for other kindreds to identify new biomarkers of types of cancer. early pancreatic cancer that can strengthen To be eligible for the GENERATE Study, the work of the CancerSEEK blood test. Additionally, study participants can participants must: This project is funded by the Pancreatic ask a genetic counselor questions and can Cancer Collective, an initiative of the Lust- • Have a blood relative who has pancreatic speak with a genetic counselor by phone cancer that was caused by a genetic mutation garten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. before and after undergoing genetic test- • Not have had pancreatic cancer themselves The GENERATE Study is being conducted ing. If a participant would like to meet with a by leading pancreatic cancer experts at • Not have had genetic testing or counseling for genetic counselor in person, GENERATE cancer risk before Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Johns Hop- Study sponsors can provide information about kins Kimmel Cancer Center; Mayo Clinic; • Have a healthcare provider and be willing to local genetic counseling and support services. MD Anderson Cancer Center; and UC San share genetic test results with that provider The free genetic testing is conducted by and the GENERATE Study team Diego Moores Cancer Center, although Color Genomics (https://www.color.com/), a participants do not have to be patients at • Be willing to complete a series of short certified genetic testing company, to study follow-up questionnaires any of these centers to participate in GEN- 30 genes that are related to common can- • Be age 18 or older ERATE. In fact, the goal of this study is to cers that can be passed down in a family. All facilitate genetic testing for family members • Speak and read English information participants provide through of pancreatic cancer patients “from their • Have a United States mailing address the GENERATE Study will be collected and living room.” Together, we will learn how to • Have Internet access managed using REDCap (Research Elec- increase access to genetic testing for families Participants will complete the following: tronic Data Capture), a secure, web-based who will benefit from it the most. database application designed for capturing • Online education about genetic testing For more information about the GENERATE • Genetic testing from home, at no cost to research data. The GENERATE REDCap Study and to enroll, visit generatestudy.org, call participants, by mailing in a saliva sample database will only be accessible to members 617.582.9444 between 9AM–5PM EST, or email [email protected]. Additional • A series of four sets of questionnaires of the study team. information is available at clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03762590. 866-789-1000 lustgarten.org Message from Kerri Kaplan, president and CEO Dear Friends: In addition to the incredible research updates you will read about in this newsletter, we have been involved in some prominent fundraising and scientific events this winter that I’m excited to share with you. On December 13th, The Madison Square Garden Company and AMC Networks hosted the 18th Annual Holiday Rock & Roll Bash in New York City to benefit the Foundation, bringing the total the Bash has raised to date to nearly $25 million. Entertainment included a special musical set from world-renowned deejay and producer DJ Cassidy, and an exclusive performance by the Radio City Rockettes from the Christmas Spectacular. In December, I also attended the Nobel Prize Ceremony festivities in Stockholm, Sweden, where leading immunology experts James P. Allison, Photos Rebecca Taylor/MSG Ph.D. (pictured at right with me), MD Anderson Cancer Center, and 18th Annual Holiday Rock & Roll Bash in New York City Tasuku Honjo, M.D., Ph.D., Kyoto University, were jointly awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for demonstrating how different strategies for inhibiting the brakes on the immune system can be used to treat cancer. The Lustgarten Foundation is proud to be investing millions of dollars into immunotherapy research. In January, I attended the 9th annual Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Summit in California, where researchers funded through the Pancreatic Cancer Collective (PCC), an initiative of the Lustgarten Foundation and SU2C, gathered to collaborate and provide updates on their research progress. During this meeting, the PCC also evaluated proposals for using artificial intelligence to help identify high-risk pancreatic cancer populations. As always, thank you for your ongoing support. By joining the fight, you are helping to find a cure. Nobel Prize Ceremony festivities in Stockholm, Sweden Warm regards, Kerri Kaplan President & CEO Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Summit in California (Two pancreatic cancer survivors are pictured here in the front row, 3rd and 5th from left.) 2 LUStgarten FOUNDatION OUR PROMISING SCIENCE The Pancreatic Cancer Collective Awards $7 Million in First-Round “New Therapies Challenge” Grants The Pancreatic Cancer Collective We are in a very what can be accomplished even further. (PCC), an initiative of the Lustgarten “ The PCC is committed to attracting new Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer exciting place right collaborators; improving the diagnosis of (SU2C), has awarded a total of $7 million pancreatic cancer using big data; finding in first-round “New Therapies Challenge” now for pancreatic new treatments for pancreatic cancer; grants to seven teams of top cancer and supporting the next generation of researchers to explore new pancreatic cancer research... pancreatic cancer investigators. cancer treatments. The overall goal of ” “We are in a very exciting place right the “New Therapies Challenge” grant “The two-step process created by the now for pancreatic cancer research,” said program is to bring new, cutting-edge Pancreatic Cancer Collective is an David Tuveson, M.D., Ph.D., Lustgarten treatments to pancreatic cancer patients. innovative and flexible approach that will Foundation’s Chief Scientist, Director These projects are the first ones funded speed up the research process, help us of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory under the PCC, which was launched have a real impact on pancreatic cancer, Cancer Center, and co-scientific leader last spring to accelerate pancreatic and bring new hope to patients and their of the Collective. “We’re bringing cancer research and improve patients’ families.” together insights from immunology, outcomes. The Lustgarten Foundation and targeted therapy, genomics, modeling, Through the “New Therapies Stand Up To Cancer have collaborated and other fields, and we’re going to find Challenge” grants, each team will receive closely since 2012, jointly funding more out what should go forward to clinical up to $1 million in initial funding, with than 200 investigators from over 30 studies. We are very optimistic that we $4 million per team for clinical studies leading research centers in the United can make some real progress.” awaiting the most successful projects in States and the United Kingdom. These the second round. This new two-tiered efforts include four Dream Teams and funding model is intended to increase the five Research Teams, including two number of “shots on goal,” allowing rapid Convergence Teams bringing together exploration of a relatively large number computational experts with clinical of promising ideas through $1 million, oncologists. Cancer Interception, 14-month grants. The second round will which involves research supporting support only the most promising projects the earliest diagnosis of pancreatic with an additional $4 million over three cancer, even before the cancer may have years (subject to the specific needs of the fully formed, is the focus of one of the project). Dream Teams and one of the Research “New and effective treatments are Teams. All told, these collaborative teams urgently needed for pancreatic cancer,” have planned, started, or completed 25 For more information, visit said Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., the Nobel clinical trials. pancreaticcancercollective.org. laureate who is the chair of the

Load more