Advancing Early Detection and Treatment: Rolfe Foundation Grant Impact 2024

Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation continues to drive meaningful progress in early detection and treatment of Pancreatic Cancer through grants that fund pioneering research and essential support services. These dollars not only bring hope but also move us closer to breakthrough discoveries.

Research-Focused Grants: $277,000

Revealing the Origin of Pancreatic Cancer Metastases
Principal Investigator: Dr. Oren Parnas, Hebrew University of Jerusalem 
Dr. Parnas’s groundbreaking research explores how and when Pancreatic Cancer cells spread to other organs. By leveraging cutting-edge tools like single-cell RNA and CRISPR screening, his team aims to uncover early detection markers and identify weaknesses in the metastatic process, a critical step in improving patient outcomes.

Pancreatic Tissue and Tumor Analysis Projects
Johns Hopkins University (3 projects led by emerging leaders in pathology)

• Fibroblast Influence in Tumor Invasion: Investigating how cells in the tumor environment promote cancer spread using advanced 3-D tissue models.
• 3-D Study of Liver Metastases: Dr. Ashley Kiemen’s work reconstructs liver metastases in unprecedented detail, revealing patterns of cancer spread and response to treatment.
• Fibroblast Characteristics in ATM-Deficient Cancers: Dr. Nicholas Roberts explores unique tumor environments in genetically predisposed cases, paving the way for personalized therapies.

Biomarker Discovery for Early Detection
Principal Investigator: Dr. Alex Muir, University of Chicago Medicine
This innovative study focuses on identifying lymphatic and interstitial fluid biomarkers, offering a less invasive and more precise pathway to detecting Pancreatic Cancer at earlier stages.

Digital Tools for Risk Assessment
Principal Investigators: Drs. Sonia Kupfer, Christine Drogan, Ophir Gilad, and Emma Keel, University of Chicago Medicine
This project addresses disparities in genetic testing and early cancer detection, particularly among underserved populations, by implementing a patient-directed digital cancer risk tool.

Lustgarten Foundation
Lustgarten’s comprehensive research program focuses on improving patient outcomes. Its programs include early detection and interception, therapeutic development, and personalized medicine, which brings cutting-edge science from the lab to the clinic.

Support for Partner Organizations: $25,000

Cancer Wellness Center: Offering vital counseling, support groups, wellness activities, and outreach to patients and families affected by Pancreatic Cancer.

Wellness House: Providing free, life-changing programs to improve the emotional and physical well-being of cancer patients and their loved ones.

Building on Progress

Thanks to Rolfe Foundation’s strategic funding, these efforts are making a measurable impact in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer. While challenges remain, the progress achieved so far serves as a beacon of hope for patients and families worldwide. Together, we’re not just envisioning breakthroughs—we’re making them possible.