Where does pancreatic cancer research stand today — and what does it mean for patients and families right now?

In this episode, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Emil Lou, physician scientist and medical oncologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, to break down the latest developments in pancreatic cancer research. From KRAS-targeted therapies and the challenge of drug resistance, to the role of AI in early detection and treatment response, Dr. Lou offers an accessible and honest look at where we are, what's promising, and why research funding has never been more critical.

This episode is sponsored by Revolution Medicines.

For more information and resources, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org. Use the Let's Win and PanCAN clinical trial finders to explore options.

Links:

Let’s Win Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

In this continuation of our conversation about clinical trials, host Alisyn Camerota and Martin D Hynes, III, discuss the real obstacles patients face when pursuing clinical trials.

Marty, a chemist and pancreatic cancer survivor, explains that while clinical trials require additional testing beyond standard of care, pharmaceutical companies cover these costs, including scans, blood work, and often travel expenses and lodging for patients and caregivers.

He addresses concerns about leaving established care teams and emphasizes the importance of having an advocate to coordinate communication between medical teams. Marty and Alisyn discuss the complexities of genetic and tumor testing required for trial eligibility, the challenges patients face when too ill to travel, and privacy concerns around medical data sharing.

Despite these barriers, Marty is optimistic about improvements in trial access through organizations like Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN, which offer trial finders and patient navigation services. He shares that his recent checkup showed normal CA19-9 levels and clear scans, and encourages patients not to give up hope as treatments continue to improve.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

Let’s Win Doctor Finder

January is Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Awareness Month. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Martin D Hynes, III, a chemist who spent much of his career in the pharmaceutical industry, including years with Eli Lilly developing Gemzar, a chemotherapy drug used to treat pancreatic cancer.

In 2021, Marty was diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer and found himself on the patient side of clinical trials for the first time. Despite his extensive professional experience, Marty faced significant barriers to enrolling in a clinical trial. He discusses common misconceptions that prevent patients from participating in trials, including fears about receiving placebos and concerns about being a "guinea pig."

Marty explains that pancreatic cancer clinical trial participants always receive standard-of-care treatment, and he reframes clinical trial participation as a way to be a pioneer in breakthrough treatments.

This is part one of a two-part conversation about the challenges patients face when seeking to join clinical trials.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer clinical trials, visit Let’s Win and PanCAN.

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

In Episode 12 of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, about global advocacy, differences between UK and US approaches, and the power of collaboration through the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition.

Learn how awareness campaigns, patient voices, and international partnerships are helping drive progress in pancreatic cancer research, diagnosis, and care.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org.

Resources:

letswinpc.org

pancan.org

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Kerry McKean Kelly, founder of Kelly's Heroes, about the power of collaboration in pancreatic cancer advocacy.

Kerry shares her personal journey after losing her husband Steve to stage IV pancreatic cancer and how she channeled her grief into global advocacy work. As outgoing chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer (WPCC) Day Committee, Kerry discusses the importance of clinical trial awareness, how the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition unites 100+ organizations worldwide, why patient empowerment matters across all healthcare systems, and the progress being made in pancreatic cancer survival rates.

"We are stronger together than we are alone." - Kerry McKean Kelly

Resources mentioned:

- Kelly's Heroes: http://www.kellysheroes.ngo/

- World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition: www.hellopancreas.com

- PanCAN: www.pancan.org

- Let's Win: www.letswinpc.org

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org.

Join host Alisyn Camerota as she welcomes Dr. Asaf Maoz from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to explore the science behind genetic mutations in pancreatic cancer. Building on Episode 9's discussion of the genetic testing journey, this episode dives into hereditary risk and the specific types of mutations patients and families may encounter.

Dr. Maoz, an attending physician in the Division of Genetics and Prevention and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, explains why genetic testing is now the standard of care, identifies the most common hereditary mutations linked to pancreatic cancer, and discusses what results mean for patients and their families — including when no actionable mutations are found. Learn about the critical role of family history in understanding pancreatic cancer risk.

Join host Alisyn Camerota as she welcomes Jessica Everett, MS, CGC, Senior Research Strategy Director at UC San Diego's Moores Cancer Center, to discuss the critical role of genetic testing in pancreatic cancer. Since becoming part of the standard of care in 2018, genetic testing is now recommended for all pancreatic cancer patients.

Jessica, a genetic counselor specializing in pancreatic cancer, explains why patients should get tested, how genetic counselors guide patients through the testing process, and addresses common fears and misconceptions. Learn how to navigate conversations with family members about inherited risk and what genetic test results mean for relatives.

In Episode 8 we continue our discussion of pancreatic cancer surgery. Host Alisyn Camerota welcomes Dr. Nipun Merchant, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Miami, Florida, to learn more about the evolution of surgical techniques for pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Merchant explains the differences between open surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, and robotic surgery, and shares how surgeons determine the best approach for each patient and tumor. He also outlines the additional surgeries that may be part of comprehensive pancreatic cancer treatment.

Links:

Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer

PanCAN

PanCAN Patient Services

Understanding Distal Pancreatectomy

Whipple Procedure