Goal:
Determine and target the mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation as a driver of pancreatic cancer.
Challenge:
Chronic inflammation can initiate pancreatic cancer and may promote drug and immune resistance. A variety of factors have been linked to pancreatitis, including family history, CA19-9, obesity, ethanol, tobacco, various drugs and environmental carcinogens, and the microbiome. Mechanism-based studies that exploit these associations are needed to generate new insights with therapeutic relevance in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer pathogenesis.
Strategy:
Develop a focused research strategy whereby the Foundation will work with leading researchers and support their dedicated efforts to determine whether there are central pathways of pancreatic inflammation that promote pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.
Targeted Research Areas include, but are not restricted to:
- Determine the mechanisms underlying how CA19-9, obesity, ethanol, tobacco, aging, familial genetics, environmental carcinogens and the microbiome promote pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
- Develop various therapeutically relevant methods to block chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in preclinical models.
- Conduct preclinical proof-of-concept studies that target pathways promoting pancreatic inflammation, that may serve as a step toward clinical translation.
Key Dates
Letter of Intent Due: June 30, 2020
LOI Notification: July 31, 2020
Full Proposal Due: October 1, 2020
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2021
Questions regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed to:
Andrew Rakeman, Ph.D.
VP, Research
arakeman@lustgarten.org
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