News and Progress
from February, 1999 

February 24, 1999

Education/Awareness:

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is asking all of those interested in finding a cure for pancreatic cancer to join in the effort to have November 1999 declared "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in all 50 states. The declaration is scheduled to coincide with PanCAN's fundraiser on November 7. (More details about the fundraiser will be posted when available.) Having a declaration made in a state is as simple as communicating with the Governor and asking him or her to make the declaration.

Citizens of Texas can contact Governor George W. Bush at www.governor.state.tx.us Click the "Contact" button at the bottom of the page for options including phone numbers and mailing addresses. A direct email to the Governor's office is in a hyperlink at the bottom of the "Contact" page.

Residents of all other states are also welcome to contribute to the effort. For more information contact Patti Hiemstra at paticake35@aol.com. Patti says that they are still looking for sponsors from Nebraska and Arkansas to contact those states' leaders. However, any contributions within any state are welcome.

February 23, 1999

Education/Awareness:

As announced earlier, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has its website established and growing. The URL is www.pancreaticcancer.org, so update your bookmarks. The site is very new and there is a lot of construction to be done, so check back often for updates and new features.

February 12, 1999

Education/Awareness:

Forbes magazine has recently published an article on progress in drug therapy against pancreatic cancer. You can find it in the February 8, 1999 issue or read it online at http://www.forbes.com/forbes/99/0208/6303098a.htm

February 11, 1999

Medical Oncology/Clinical Research Update:

The PTSG announces the opening of a new Phase 2 protocol for metastatic islet cell carcinoma or Carcinoid tumors: "A Phase II Study of CPT-11", sponsored by Upjohn/Pharmacia. For information about the study drug and trial, see the Clinical Trials/Category D page. (This protocol is listed at the bottom of that page, so you might have to scroll down.)

February 4, 1999

Medical Oncology/Clinical Research Update:

The PTSG announces the opening of a new Phase 2 protocol for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: "Phase II Study of Dolastatin 10" sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. For information about the study drug and trial, see the Clinical Trials/Category D page.

Basic Science/Translational Research:

Scientists in the Surgical Oncology section recently published two papers in the January 1999 issue of the peer-reviewed journal, Clinical Cancer Research. The references and brief descriptions are as follows:

• Kuniyasu H, Ellis LM, Evans DB, Abbruzzese JL, Fenoglio CJ, Bucana CD, Cleary KR, Tahara E, and Fidler IJ. Relative expression of E-Cadherin and Type IV collagenase genes predicts disease outcome in patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma. Clin Can Res 1999;5:25-33. This paper showed that some metastasis-related genes may allow doctors to determine the metastatic potential of resectable tumors.
• Wang W, Abbruzzese JL, Evans DB, Larry L, Cleary KR, Chiao PJ. The nuclear factor-kb RelA transcription factor is constitutively activated in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Clin Can Res 1999;5:119-127. This paper shows that another gene (RelA) plays a role in the development of pancreatic cancer.

Education/Awareness:

You probably noticed the new purple ribbon adorning the masthead on the front page of the PTSG site. The purple ribbon is the symbol of the advocacy/education/ fundraising group, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). The M D Anderson Pancreatic Tumor Study Group recently joined forces with this organization to help educate the medical and public community about the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The PanCAN website is under construction and will be added to the "PTSG Top Web Picks" page when completed. The purple ribbon pins you see being worn by the PTSG staff in the clinic will be available to our patients and in the gift shops very shortly. For a description of PanCAN's recent activities, contact info, and mission statement, see the February 1999 PanCAN e-newsletter.

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