A Focus on PanCAN — Advocacy and Research

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

In this episode of HOPA Now, HOPA president Dr. David DeReemer moderates a discussion on the current landscape of pancreatic cancer care, treatment, and research. Dr. DeReemer is joined by CEO and President of PanCAN, Julie Fleshman; FORD model and pancreatic cancer advocate Maria Montgomery; and Dr. Thom George, a Professor of Medicine and director of the GI Oncology Program at the University of Florida and Director of the Cancer Center Experimental Therapeutics Incubator and Associate Director of Clinical Research. They discuss ongoing initiatives and current volunteer and advocacy opportunities of PanCAN, the future of pancreatic cancer treatment and research, and the exciting work that is happening with PanCAN’s Precision Promise trial.

In this episode, you will learn:

Ongoing initiatives of PanCAN
● Fund research including peer-reviewed grants and large research initiatives
● Advocating in Washington D.C. for increased federal research funds
● Patient services including information that is available through a call center and email
● Building a community of volunteers, patients, families, researchers, and stakeholders
● Telehealth has received increased support and provides quality care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
● Virtual advocacy has been widely successful and effective during the pandemic.
● Volunteer activity for fundraising is supported by passionate people who have been touched by pancreatic cancer.

A story of patient treatment, care, and advocacy
● Maria shares the story of her dad’s pancreatic cancer journey
● A look at common challenges in care, including a physical and emotional support system
● The silver linings that come with caring and advocating for a pancreatic cancer patient
● Go Fund Me information for Maria’s pancreatic cancer journey documentary
● The number one change Maria would like to see in cancer prevention

Looking to the future of pancreatic cancer care
● Details on immunotherapeutic strategies such as ICI in combos and CAR-T
● Possible reasons that early treatment approaches have been unsuccessful
● A combination approach including chemotherapy and stimulating the immune system will offer the most promising future for pancreatic cancer care.

PanCAN’s Precision Promise trial
● This Clinical research trial platform allows for testing different treatments at the same time.
● The platform is FDA-registration-enabled, allowing questions to be asked and answered that could lead to practice changes that would be FDA approved.
● The adaptive part is the most innovative program with a learn-as-you-go approach to offering treatments to patients as they are showing promise.
● Current national enrollment information
● Key inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study patient population

Mentioned in This Episode:
HOPA
PanCAN
Pancreatic Cancer Documentary (by Maria Montgomery) Go Fund Me

Tweetables:

“Our goal at PanCAN is to take bold action by improving the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer.” — Julie Fleshman

“Although there are sad stories there are also so many positive stories about how we connect to each other. So many good people are touched by this disease.” — Julie Fleshman

“The challenges of caring for a pancreatic cancer patient were more than I’d ever realized but watching people come together and support you during that time is the silver lining.” 
— Maria Montgomery

“Early treatments we have tried haven’t worked because the cancer has gotten a head start.” 
— Thom George

“At the end of the day, we all just want to save lives and make people’s lives better.” 
— Julie Fleshman