So far, immunotherapy has been a game-changer in other cancers but not pancreatic cancer. Is that finally changing?

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and chief medical advisor of the Lustgarten Foundation. Dr. Jaffee breaks down the science behind pancreatic cancer's resistance to immunotherapy, the promise of cancer vaccines, and the emergence of KRAS inhibitors as a new class of targeted therapies. After thirty years in the field, she shares why she is more optimistic than ever.

PancChat is a collaboration between Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN.

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Vinod Balachandran, a surgeon-scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the founding director of the Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines, to take a closer look at vaccines being developed to prevent recurrence of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Balachandran breaks down three promising vaccine approaches currently in development — including the mRNA vaccine his team is working on — and explains how each one works, who may be eligible for clinical trials, and why progress in pancreatic cancer could have implications for other cancer types as well.

PancChat is a collaboration between Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn More:

Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

Let's Win Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy — known as PERT — may be one of the most important yet overlooked tools for pancreatic cancer patients and survivors. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dallas Lawry, an advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, to break down why up to 90% of pancreatic cancer patients experience exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, how PERT works, and practical tips for getting the most out of treatment — including how to time doses with meals, navigate insurance coverage, and explore alternatives when costs become a barrier.

PancChat is a collaboration between Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn More:

• Canopy Collective EPI Pert White Paper
• Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)
• Let's Win Clinical Trial Finder
• PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder
• PanCAN Patient Services

Eating during pancreatic cancer treatment can be challenging. In this episode, PancChat host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Audrey Caspar-Clark, an outpatient oncology dietitian specializing in pancreatic cancer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Abramson Cancer Center, to tackle the real challenges patients face — from treatment side effects and appetite loss to persistent nutrition myths. Audrey shares practical strategies for staying nourished, what caregivers can do to help without adding pressure, and why the goal isn't a perfect diet, but the best one possible in the moment.

PancChat is a collaboration between Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn More:
Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

Let's Win Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

What's on the horizon for pancreatic cancer treatment and earlier detection? In this episode, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Andrew Ko, professor of medicine and associate chief of hematology oncology at UC San Francisco, to explore the most promising advances in the field.

Dr. Ko breaks down the current state of pancreatic cancer vaccines and explains why they're showing promise for earlier stage patients following surgery. He also discusses the landscape of immunotherapy, the excitement around RAS inhibitors, and emerging targets. The conversation also covers early detection, including blood-based screening tools and the potential role of AI in identifying pancreatic cancer before symptoms appear.

Links:

Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer
PanCAN
PanCAN Patient Services
Let's Win Clinical Trial Finder
PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

Where does pancreatic cancer research stand today — and what does it mean for patients and families right now?

In this episode, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Emil Lou, physician scientist and medical oncologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, to break down the latest developments in pancreatic cancer research. From KRAS-targeted therapies and the challenge of drug resistance, to the role of AI in early detection and treatment response, Dr. Lou offers an accessible and honest look at where we are, what's promising, and why research funding has never been more critical.

This episode is sponsored by Revolution Medicines.

For more information and resources, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org. Use the Let's Win and PanCAN clinical trial finders to explore options.

Links:

Let’s Win Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

In this continuation of our conversation about clinical trials, host Alisyn Camerota and Martin D Hynes, III, discuss the real obstacles patients face when pursuing clinical trials.

Marty, a chemist and pancreatic cancer survivor, explains that while clinical trials require additional testing beyond standard of care, pharmaceutical companies cover these costs, including scans, blood work, and often travel expenses and lodging for patients and caregivers.

He addresses concerns about leaving established care teams and emphasizes the importance of having an advocate to coordinate communication between medical teams. Marty and Alisyn discuss the complexities of genetic and tumor testing required for trial eligibility, the challenges patients face when too ill to travel, and privacy concerns around medical data sharing.

Despite these barriers, Marty is optimistic about improvements in trial access through organizations like Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN, which offer trial finders and patient navigation services. He shares that his recent checkup showed normal CA19-9 levels and clear scans, and encourages patients not to give up hope as treatments continue to improve.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Patient Services

Let’s Win Doctor Finder

January is Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Awareness Month. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Martin D Hynes, III, a chemist who spent much of his career in the pharmaceutical industry, including years with Eli Lilly developing Gemzar, a chemotherapy drug used to treat pancreatic cancer.

In 2021, Marty was diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer and found himself on the patient side of clinical trials for the first time. Despite his extensive professional experience, Marty faced significant barriers to enrolling in a clinical trial. He discusses common misconceptions that prevent patients from participating in trials, including fears about receiving placebos and concerns about being a "guinea pig."

Marty explains that pancreatic cancer clinical trial participants always receive standard-of-care treatment, and he reframes clinical trial participation as a way to be a pioneer in breakthrough treatments.

This is part one of a two-part conversation about the challenges patients face when seeking to join clinical trials.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer clinical trials, visit Let’s Win and PanCAN.

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder