Major funder supports research into new treatments for pancreatic cancer

Thanks to the generous support of the GPA Andrew Ursini Charitable Fund, Pancare continues to fund the Novel Therapies Program for pancreatic cancer at the University of Melbourne.

The urgency to find new treatment options

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising, largely owing to late diagnosis and lack of effective treatments. The 90% mortality rate has not changed in 40 years. In most cases, surgery is the only chance for a cure, but even this option is suitable for less than 20% of patients at diagnosis.

Novel Therapies break new ground and bring hope to many

There is an urgent need to develop more effective treatments to bring long-term benefit to people fighting pancreatic cancer. This research aims to develop new therapeutic approaches that will give patients more choices. Key areas of Novel Therapies research are poised as potential game-changers:

Targeting specific proteins, p-21 activated kinases, to improve therapeutic effects of pancreatic cancer
Potential application of cannabis in the treatment of pancreatic cancer
Genetically targeting the CXCL-5 signalling protein to overcome immune evasion of pancreatic cancer
The effect of arsenic acid in pancreatic cancer.

Since its establishment in 2009 by cell biologist Prof Graham Baldwin and clinician-scientist A/Prof Mehrdad Nikfarjam, the University of Melbourne Novel Therapies Program has a significant track record. Several world-first results have illuminated critical pathways involved in the development of pancreatic cancer and have forged new ground in therapeutic targeting to improve outcomes. Advancements in this area have been captured in numerous high-impact publications, included the recent results from Yang and colleagues in the International Journal of Molecular Science. The program will continue to deliver much-need advancements in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The GPA Andrew Ursini Charitable Fund

The GPA Andrew Ursini Charitable Fund is the charitable arm of GPA Engineering Pty Ltd. It enables employees to participate in, and financially support worthwhile endeavours. Andrew Ursini was a Director and Senior Engineer of the company for many years and, following Andrew’s passing after a long battle with cancer, the Fund was renamed the GPA Andrew Ursini Charitable Fund in his honour.

The Fund offers GPA employees the opportunity to nominate charities and medical research institutions that focus on the causes that matter to them. GPA’s ongoing support of Pancare, over several years, is due to the fact it is nominated by staff members who have lost family and friends to pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about the important research programs, including the Novel Therapies program, that Pancare funds:
> Research programs we fund