Early Detection Programs

According to the National Cancer Institute, 79% of patients are diagnosed in stage III or IV when pancreatic cancer is advanced and treatment options are limited. Your generosity is strengthening Hoag’s commitment to early detection through two key programs:

Anita Erickson Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Program

Individuals at increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer due to family history or an inherited genetic mutation are followed by a multidisciplinary team of experts including a geneticist, genetic counselors, precision medicine experts, gastroenterologists, and GI surgeons. Through regular blood tests and imaging, the goal is to detect pancreatic cancer in the earliest stages.

Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program

Cysts in the pancreas are common, and while the majority are benign, some go on to become pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cysts classified as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are responsible for approximately 2030% of all pancreatic cancers. Under the leadership of Dr. Robert Selby, Hoag’s Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program has enrolled more than 2,000 individuals at increased risk for pancreatic cancer due to an identified cyst in their pancreas. Through imaging and cyst fluid analysis, Dr. Selby and his team assess each patient’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Surgery is recommended for patients deemed high risk, while those at low or intermediate risk undergo surveillance with regular imaging and follow up.

Looking Ahead

In pancreatic cancer science and research, the current pace of discovery is rapid. With continued investment, Hoag’s Pancreatic Cancer Program will remain on the forefront of treatment, clinical research and discovery, and early detection. Looking ahead, Hoag’s pancreatic cancer team will continue to expand its research and clinical trial portfolio in immunotherapy, cell therapy, targeted therapy and other new drugs, and early detection efforts while pursuing the following:

Molecular Imaging & Therapy

Hoag is home to Orange County’s first and only molecular imaging and therapy program, which uses specially designed molecules that contain radiation that target specific cancer cells to detect and treat cancer. Dr. Gary Ulaner, James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in Molecular Imaging and Therapy and director of Hoag's Molecular Imaging & Therapy Program, is working to open clinical trials at Hoag that use new molecular imaging and therapy agents that specifically target pancreatic cancer.

Inflammasome Research

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff and Dr. Carlos Becerra are teaming up to study the inflammasome in the context of pancreatic cancer. Inflammasomes are protein complexes that induce inflammation in the body, and manipulating or reversing them could allow cell therapies, like NK cells, to be more effective in recognizing and attacking cancer and could even help in preventing pancreatic cancer altogether.