How You Can Help
Pancreatic Cancer Research
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It's usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and has a tendency to spread to the liver. However, the future of pancreatic cancer research and the promise it holds for treating patients is bright. We are, in fact, more hopeful today than at any time in the last three decades.
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has set a $5 million philanthropic goal for pancreatic cancer research. Your gift will have a significant impact at M. D. Anderson, where world-class treatment specialists, research scientists, clinical care workers and facilities work together to greater effect.
Research Initiatives
Pancreatic cancer research underway at M. D. Anderson touches all aspects of the disease, including new diagnostic methods, innovative treatments and gathering important data on pancreatic tumors to fuel new research pathways.
Early Detection – Douglas Evans, M.D., is researching how the patient’s immune system can act as an early detection screening device. Dr. Evans and his team are using peptoid microarrays comprised of immobilized antigens (proteins made by the cancer) that capture antibodies within the blood specific for the presence of pancreatic cancer. Identification of the antibody pattern will help detect the presence of pancreatic cancer cells.
Gene Therapy – David Z. Chang, M.D., Ph.D., is launching a gene therapy protocol to be used before surgery combined with a standard therapy following surgery. He is also working on a pre-surgery vaccine.
Liver Metastases – Jason Fleming, M.D., studies the microenvironment of the liver to determine why it is such an attractive landing site for migrating pancreatic cancer cells. Because metastases to the liver are the cause of death in 99% of cases, preventing them has great potential to save lives.
Prevention – Donghui Li, Ph.D., is investigating DNA-repair enzymes in the human body. These enzymes repair the breaks that cause genetic mutations, or signal the cell to self-destruct if it's beyond repair. Cancer occurs when this process breaks down, allowing damaged cells to replicate. Li’s research involves super-charging the enzymes to prevent cancer development.
The Pancreatic Tumor Bank – For research to be translated into treatments for patients, human tissue samples must be available for study. The tumor bank at M. D. Anderson has thousands of tumor tissue samples and a related database, providing a crucual resource for human pancreatic tumor research.
Donate Online
Fill out this secure Online Donation Form to fund pancreatic cancer research at M. D. Anderson.
Mail a Check
Please print the Mail-In Donation Form (pdf)
Send it with your check made out to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, specifying pancreatic cancer research in the memo line to:
The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
P.O. Box 4486
Houston, TX 77210-4486
Donate by Phone
Call the Development Office at 713-792-3450 or 800-525-5841 and specify pancreatic cancer research for your gift.