Solving the unique complexities of pancreatic cancer requires complex thinking and diversity of thought, education, training, background and experience.   We are committed to prioritizing and promoting diversity and inclusion across the organization, including staff, volunteer leadership and research portfolio.  Research A rich field of experience and perspectives working on the complex problems associated with pancreatic cancer increases the opportunities and potential to transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.  Who we work with:  Expanding diversity with ..read more

by Linda Tantawi Before we officially close the books on 2021—and my first year as CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation—I want to take a few moments to reflect on all we’ve accomplished in the last 12 months. 2021 was an exciting—and busy!—year of change, growth and transformation. And we did it all together. We know Community Is Power and that is incredibly clear as we go through this impressive list of Lustgarten’s 21 Transformations of 2021! Because Research is Fundamental to improving patient outcomes, we kicked off the year by redefining how we prioritize our research programs. 100% of dona ..read more

It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year—a time to reflect on the last 12 months and recognize our accomplishments; and to build momentum and excitement for the work ahead. We often proclaim, “pancreatic cancer research is progressing faster than ever,” and it remains true. Like the proverbial snowball barreling down the mountainside, the speed of pancreatic cancer discoveries accelerates as the base of knowledge—the snowball—builds over time and distance. And because time is everything to pancreatic cancer patients and their families, the Lustgarten Foundation is committed to advancin ..read more

by Kerri Kaplan Lustgarten was founded on the principle that funding innovative, cutting-edge research is the only way to improve patient outcomes and ultimately turn pancreatic cancer into a curable disease. Dr. Joseph Herman, Vice Chair of Clinical Informatics for Radiation Medicine and Director of Clinical Research Integration at Northwell Health, joined Lustgarten’s Vice President of Research, Dr. Andrew Rakeman, to discuss How Research Impacts Patient Care (WATCH VIDEO) as part of our Led by Lustgarten webinar series. An orphan disease In the early 2000s, when Dr. Herman was a medical r ..read more

by Meghan Von Elm Human beings are more familiar with some bodily organs than others. When asked where their brain is, they point to their head. When asked where their heart is, they point to their chest. But ask an adult to point to their pancreas and, at best, they’ll make a vague reference to their torso. Nevermind asking them about what the pancreas does or why it’s important! You may never think to ask these questions unless something like a cancer diagnosis forced it. So, let’s start with the basics: where is the pancreas located? The six-10-inch flat pear-shaped organ is located inside ..read more

By Kerri Kaplan Lustgarten Foundation-funded science has been a driving force in every major advancement in pancreatic research. We can confidently claim this because the Foundation played a pivotal role in funding the basic science of pancreatic cancer and laid the groundwork for research to follow, including studies on earlier detection. One such Lustgarten-funded study was a 2007 multi-million-dollar grant to Bert Vogelstein, PhD, Director of the Ludwig Center, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at The Johns Hopkins Medical School and Kimmel Cancer Center, who was working ..read more

By Kerri Kaplan As the world’s primary catalyst for pancreatic cancer research, the Lustgarten Foundation funds critical research projects where creative risks yield high rewards. Lustgarten is driving forward basic science that is being translated into potentially life-saving treatment options via the Robert F. Vizza Lustgarten Clinical Accelerator Initiative. Drs. Tyler Jacks and Brian Wolpin, leaders of the Lustgarten Lab at MIT and the Lustgarten Lab at Dana-Farber, respectively, shared their experiences moving discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside as part of our ..read more

By Ellen Zimmerman The Therapeutics-Focused Research Program will advance the understanding of the causes and progression of pancreatic cancer and will identify new potential therapies. This grant program will stimulate research to stretch the limits of our current understanding of pancreatic cancer treatment; promote collaboration; and identify novel therapeutic approaches and drug targets. Fifty proposals underwent a rigorous review process by external pancreatic cancer experts; 11 projects were selected for funding—an investment of $12.3 million over the next three years. “We are committe ..read more

New combination of three existing immunotherapy drugs may eliminate pancreatic tumors By Stephanie Elsea When it comes to fighting and destroying infected or diseased cells, T cells are the heroes. The body’s front line of defense, T cells are like soldiers deployed at the first sign of trouble to attack and block cancer cells. But like any hero, T cells can grow tired and lose effectiveness over time. That process is known as exhaustion. Every good military ..read more

By Kerri Kaplan  Score! As hockey teams from the United States and Canada faced off recently to compete for the famed Stanley Cup, the leading cancer organizations in the US and Canada—the Lustgarten Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, and Pancreatic Cancer Canada team up to fund a breakaway clinical trial to assist and save pancreatic cancer patients. During the June 30 LustgartenLIVE! research briefing: Personalized Medicine: Transforming Treatment, Dr. Dennis Plenker, technical manager of the state-of-the-art organoid facility at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), articulated the obje ..read more