Welcome to the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center!

The Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center (PCRC) is committed to delivering high-quality care for patients with pancreatic cancer. We take a multidisciplinary approach — integrating Medical Oncology, Surgery, Gastroenterology, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology — to deliver comprehensive and personalized options to our patients.

The American Cancer Society has reported that in 2018 pancreatic cancer became the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., surpassing breast cancer (for more, see Cancer Statistics). One encouraging piece of this report is that the five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer has moved to 10* percent (from 5 percent several years ago). At the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center (PCRC), we understand the urgent need to develop better treatments and cures for patients.

News

The PCRC was proud to host family and friends from ALoveforLife before the winter break. Their generous contributions keep our research efforts going! Please check out the A Love for Life Penn Giving Page for more information (http://givingpages.upenn.edu/aloveforlife).

Chris Edmonds, Christine Edmonds, and Tricia Bell

PCRC researchers and clinicians gathered with patients, survivors, and caregivers at the 2025 PanCAN Purplestride (Premier Sponsor – Penn Medicine's AbramsonCanr Center) in the annual walk/run to END PANCREATIC CANCER.

Our team (Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center) was #2 in fundraising for this event!

Sandy Slaughter, devoted volunteer, with Kevin Paine, long-time survivor of pancreas cancer

Temple researcher with Kevin Paine’s wife , Christie on the right

Patients and friends supporting purple stride. Of note, Rob Weker (on the left), long-time survivor, raised almost $12,000 this year . Rob is a loyal supporter of the Purple Stride event. and we are all so appreciative of his efforts

Patients and staff participating in the Purple Stride event. This yearly event is a welcomed time for patients and staff to mingle and support the efforts of the Pancreatic Action Network yearly fundraiser.

Penn medical g/I oncologists who were able to attend this year Purple Stride’s event. From left to right: Drs. Mark O’Hara, Kim Reiss Binder, Parul Agarwal, Ursina Teitelbaum, Nevena Damjanov and Pancreas Patient Care Coordinator, Trish Gambino

PurpleStride event in Philly raises money for those battling pancreatic cancer

This weekend people will come together for PurpleStride, an event in Philly that raises money for research and awareness in the fight against pancreatic cancer. NBC10's Brian Sheehan spoke with a longtime cancer survivor who will be in the crowd offering hope for those battling the disease.

Research Advances

Results from the phase 1b study of CD40 agonists with or without PD-1 inhibition for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer reported in Lancet Oncology. View our publication at Pubmed.

For more of our published research, see the Publications page.

Information for Clinical Trials

We believe in the power of clinical trials in caring for patients and conquering this disease.
View more information on clinical trials.