Paul E. Oberstein, MD

Paul E. Oberstein, MD

Paul E. Oberstein, MD, joins NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center on March 1 as director of gastrointestinal (GI) medical oncology and assistant director of its recently established Pancreatic Cancer Center, as announced in a press release published this week.

“In 2018, for the first time, GI cancers will cause more cancer deaths in the United States than any other organ system,” said Benjamin G. Neel, MD, PhD, director of Perlmutter Cancer Center in the release. “Dr. Oberstein’s experience in designing clinical trials for these cancers and his expertise in bringing basic research findings to the patient’s bedside strengthen our already formidable GI cancer research team.”

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. It was announced in January that the five-year survival for the disease remains at just 9 percent.

Diane Simeone, MD, chair of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, is the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Professor of Surgery, professor of pathology and director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at Perlmutter Cancer Center. In the press release, she said, “Dr. Oberstein will play a major role in the Pancreatic Cancer Center’s efforts to develop highly innovative clinical trials for pancreatic cancer patients and to work with patients and patient advocacy groups to develop optimized support systems for patients.”

Oberstein is also the co-principal investigator on the 2017 Tap Cancer Out – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Translational Research Grant with Timothy C. Wang, MD.

The $300,000 grant allows Oberstein and Wang to focus on targeting cholinergic receptors, a type of nerve receptor found in the stroma of a pancreatic cancer tumor, to suppress the disease.

Since 2003, PanCAN has awarded 159 grants to 158 scientists at 58 institutions nationwide. The organization’s cumulative research investment is projected to be over $48.5 million to date, including the competitive Research Grants Program and internal research initiatives.

Congratulations, Dr. Oberstein!

Read the full press release from NYU Langone Health.