Nearly $10 Million To Be Invested To Support Pancreatic Cancer Research

Expanded Grants Program Aims to Advance Progress Toward Patient Benefit

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Sep 08, 2015, 01:56 ET

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will invest nearly $9.7 million in research in 2016, representing a more than 40 percent increase over last year's investment. Of this total, close to $6.8 million will be awarded through the organization's competitive Research Grants Program. The remainder will go toward the Know Your Tumor personalized medicine service and other innovative clinical initiatives.

"By offering grants for basic, translational and clinical research in pancreatic cancer to scientists and clinicians at various career levels in 2016, we will Wage Hope in the fight against the disease by advancing the field to make progress toward the goal of doubling survival by 2020," says Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Research funding is available through six grant mechanisms and a new travel scholarship, targeting applicants at all stages of their career and supporting projects all along the research continuum. Applications undergo an unbiased, rigorous and competitive peer-review process to ensure that the most meritorious science gets funded.

The organization is now accepting applications for several types of awards, including a KRAS Fellowship and a new KRAS Travel Scholarship offered in partnership with the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR). These two award mechanisms will enable pancreatic cancer and KRAS research that is aligned with the NCI's RAS Initiative. Recipients will have opportunities to visit FNLCR to pursue their research. The NCI's RAS Initiative is part of the Scientific Framework developed as a result of the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, whose passage was due in large part to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's advocacy efforts.

In addition, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is still accepting applications for two early-career funding opportunities. The Career Development Award and Pathway to Leadership Grant support junior independent investigators and postdoctoral or clinical fellows, respectively.

The remainder of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's research grants will launch in the fall. New to this year's portfolio is the Research Acceleration Network-2 (RAN-2) Grant supporting a Phase 2 treatment clinical trial or robust nontherapeutic trial (prevention, screening/detection or supportive care). The RAN-2 will provide $2 million over one to three years. Both the RAN-2 and the $1 million RAN Grant are intended to support team science and accelerate progress toward the organization's goal to double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020. Finally, Translational Research Grants will be offered to support projects poised to move from laboratory findings into clinical studies.

Since 2003, the Pancreatic Action Network has awarded 123 grants, totaling more than $28 million in funding. In addition to receiving research funding, grantees participate in the organizations Community for Progress, which provides opportunities for mentorship, training, networking and collaboration. Ongoing career support activities offer educational and professional development that helps keep the organization's community of researchers committed and involved.

Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and is anticipated to become the second leading cause by 2020. This year, nearly 49,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and approximately 40,000 will die from the disease. There are no early detection tools and few effective treatment options. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is working to change the future course of this disease.

For more information about the grants available through the organization, visit pancan.org/2016grants.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. Together, we can Wage Hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics and better treatments and increase chances of survival.

Contact:
Jennifer Rosen
Associate Director, Content Marketing & Engagement
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
[email protected]
310-706-3362

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