Causation and Prevention

The cornerstone of any large translational research program is the development of an accurate tumor database. All tumors removed in the operating room are sampled for careful pathologic study and the remainder of the tumor delivered to the pancreatic research laboratory where it is placed in tissue culture in an attempt to establish ongoing growth and also frozen for subsequent study. As new genes are discovered the tumor data bank provides a ready mechanism for us to quickly analyze the effect of any genetic mutation on the incidence of pancreatic cancer and its relationship to other known prognostic factors.

Selected References:

1.  Robinson EK, Grau AM, Evans DB, Smid CM, Chiao PJ, Abbruzzese JL, Grimm EA.
Cell cycle regulation of human pancreatic cancer by tamoxifen.  Ann Surg Oncol 1998;
5:342-349.

2.  Staley CA, Cleary KA, Abbruzzese JA, Lee JE, Ames FC, Fenoglio CK, Evans DB.  
Need for standardized staging of pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens.  Pancreas 
1996;12:373-380.

3.  Bold RJ, Hess KR, Pearson AS, Gran AM, Sinicrope FA, Jennings M, McConkey DJ,
Bucana CD, Cleary KR, Hallin PA, Chiao PJ, Abbruzzese JL, Evans DB.  Prognostic
fators in resectable pancreatic cancer:  p53 and Bcl-2.  J Gastroint Surg 1999; 3:263-277.