Research Spotlight

Editor’s note: The “Research Spotlight” series is written by Dr. Anna Berkenblit, PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. Each month, Dr. Berkenblit shares her insights into the latest news and research in pancreatic cancer. Follow Dr. Berkenblit on X and LinkedIn.
 

February is Cancer Prevention Month, a time to educate people about ways to reduce their risk of developing cancer through healthy lifestyle choices, screenings and early detection. For pancreatic cancer, which still does not have a standard screening test for the general population, we continue to focus our efforts on increasing awareness among those most at risk, highlighting the signs and symptoms of the disease and encouraging people to be their best health advocate, and what changes people can make today to reduce their overall risk of developing the disease. We are also advocating for more investment in early detection research while closely monitoring advancements such as liquid biopsies and how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve how we can detect the disease earlier. Our own research continues through PanCAN’s Early Detection Initiative, which is designed to learn more about the connection between high blood sugar and pancreatic cancer.

Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing diabetes, and understanding your family’s cancer history are all meaningful steps individuals can take to reduce their risk. Prevention also depends on access to genetic testing, investment in early detection strategies, and ensuring equitable care for high-risk communities. Cancer Prevention Month is not just about changing habits, but it’s a time to think about strengthening the systems, research, and knowledge that make earlier diagnosis and better outcomes possible for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Advancements in Cancer Treatment

In addition to February being Cancer Prevention Month, this month two advancements in pancreatic cancer treatment are worth highlighting.

First, Novocure recently announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Optune Pax, a wearable medical device for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. It is a first-of-its-kind, portable, non-invasive device used with standard chemotherapy to deliver alternating electrical fields called tumor treating fields (TTFields) to the abdomen. These electrical fields interfere with the fast-growing cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue mostly unharmed, providing a new way to target the tumor directly without causing the harsh side effects often seen with other treatments.

This approval, the first specifically for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, is an important step forward highlighting the ongoing need for research investment, early detection, and clinical trials.

Second is the recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) validating an artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic tool from Valar Labs, developed and tested using data from PanCAN’s Know Your Tumor® initiative accessed through the SPARK health data platform. By analyzing routine pathology slides that most patients already have, the tool can predict how likely a tumor is to respond to standard first-line chemotherapy options for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel.

Today, oncologists often base these treatment decisions on overall health and performance status rather than the biology of the tumor. This trial-and-error approach can cost patients precious time and expose them to unnecessary side effects. This research offers a data driven, personalized approach to guiding treatment options using the patient’s own tumor information without introducing a new drug or invasive test. This study highlights meaningful progress in precision oncology for pancreatic cancer and is not just a research result but a practical tool that could help patients get the right treatment sooner, guided by their tumor biology. It underscores why continued data sharing, research investment, and participation in programs like Know Your Tumor are essential to accelerating progress.

Every FDA approval, AI tool, and data-driven insight moves the needle on earlier detection, more personalized treatment, and better outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. During Cancer Prevention Month, it’s clear that advancing research, expanding access to care, and empowering patients with information, as well as educating risk factors, symptoms, and lifestyle factors, are critically important to reduce risk.