FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANCREATIC CANCER MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Funding Assists
University of Pennsylvania Researcher in Pursuit of Early Detection Methods

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (Dec. 10, 2003) - A major scientific discovery, funded in part by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), may revolutionize the detection and treatment of one of the most deadliest cancers known to man --- pancreatic cancer. David A. Tuveson, MD, PhD, of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, led the team that developed and characterized the first animal model that describes the creation and characterization for ductal pancreatic cancer. His discovery provides insight into the development of future diagnostic tests for early disease detection as well as potential therapeutic strategies. The research will be published online in Cancer Cell (www.cancercell.org).

In May 2003, Dr. Tuveson received a Career Development Award for early-career scientists engaged in pancreatic cancer research from PanCAN and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The two-year grant provides $100,000 of direct research expenses. "Attempts to identify humans with early pancreatic cancer have been largely unsuccessful due to the anatomic location of the pancreas and the small size of the presumed precursor lesions, termed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN)," said Dr. Tuveson. "Working with Drs. Emanuel F. Petricoin and Lance A. Liotta and other colleagues at the NCI, we have uncovered a molecular signature of PanIN in the serum of mice that is highly predictive for the presence of early pancreatic cancer. Support from the AACR-PanCAN career development award helped make this possible."

"This is a clear indicator that increased funding will lead to better detection and treatment methods and, eventually, to a cure," said Julie Fleshman, PanCAN Executive Director. "The groundbreaking research by Dr. Tuveson opens the door for others interested in studying pancreatic cancer, and PanCAN will continue to support their efforts."

"This gives us cause for hope at a time when pancreatic cancer research has been almost non-existent," said Paula Kim, President and Founder of PanCAN, a national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. "Our goal is to make significant strides against this disease so that in the near future, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer will no longer be a virtual death sentence." Earlier this year, Kim testified about pancreatic cancer before the subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.

The breakthrough is particularly important due to the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer, the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women. Pancreatic cancer carries a 99 % fatality rate; however, despite this statistic, the federal government invests less money on pancreatic cancer than any other leading cancer. In 2002, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) spent 33.1 million dollars – less than 1 percent of its cancer research budget--on pancreatic cancer research.

Pancreatic Cancer Facts for 2003
• Approximately 30,700 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United States and 30,000 people will die from the disease.
• Pancreatic cancer has the #1 fatality rate of all cancers.
• Pancreatic cancer is the #4 cancer killer in the United States amongst both men and women.
• The 99% mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is the highest of any cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age, gender or race and only 4% of patients will survive beyond 5 years.
• The average life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic disease is just 3-6 months.
• An estimated 33.1 million dollars was spent on pancreatic cancer research in 2002 of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) cancer research budget. This is just a mere 0.8 of 1% of the NCI’s 4.176 billion dollar cancer research budget for 2002.
• Despite the especially lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, the research spending per pancreatic cancer patient is only $1092, the lowest of any leading cancer.
• No effective early detection methods have been developed, there are minimal treatment options available and very little research is under way due to limited research funding.

About PanCAN
PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by surviving family members of individuals who died of pancreatic cancer. Chartered as a grassroots organization of advocacy for pancreatic cancer patients and their families, PanCAN currently has volunteers and members throughout the United States and around the world. PanCAN is the first, national public-benefit advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. The organization works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, and provides public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. Visit www.pancan.org to obtain more information, e-mail info@pancan.org, or call 1-877-272-6226.

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Media Contacts:

Aaron Kiel
Public Relations Consultant for PanCAN
Phone: 562-983-8113
Email: akiel@akprgroup.com

Company Contacts:

Julie Fleshman
Executive Director, PanCAN
Phone: 310-725-0025
Email: jfleshman@pancan.org

David March
University of Pennsylvania
215-662-2560
Email: david.march@uphs.upenn.edu

Heidi Hardman
Cancer Cell
617-397-2829
Email: hhardman@cell.com