Pancreatic Cancer

“Cycle for Survival was the one funding mechanism that helped this research get off the ground. The discovery of the molecule wouldn’t have been possible without the participants’ and donors’ support.”

Marilyn Resh, PhD
Cell Biology Program

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Problem

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is a protein that is essential for development of the human embryo, but in adults can drive the growth of some types of cancer (prostate cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, sarcoma, and pancreatic cancer).

Idea

Dr. Marilyn Resh sought a way to block the Shh-driven cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer, by developing a new drug.

What's next

Because Dr. Resh discovered a molecule that inhibits Shh-driven cancers in cells, medicinal chemists are now using her data to improve the original formula for additional lab testing.

Other institutions collaborating with MSK on this initiative

Rockefeller University

You should know:

This study was funded solely by Cycle for Survival in 2009, and received additional Cycle for Survival funding in 2012. Without that investment, Dr. Resh’s work in this arena would have never materialized.
This project received NIH funding in 2010 and 2014 because the data gathered proved this research has the potential to save lives.
A provisional patent has been filed for the molecule inhibitor.
The Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute chose to further develop Dr. Resh’s project in July 2014, which means Takeda Pharmaceuticals will assist in improving the molecule inhibitor.

Want more info?

Check out these scientific studies published in Nature Chemical Biology and Oncogene, and this presentation abstract from the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting.

Pancreatic Cancer

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