Herbert Zeh, III, M.D. Ph.D.
Adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas is a major unsolved
public health problem in the United States with approximately
30,300 new cases expected to occur in the year 2002. This makes
it the tenth most common malignancy in adult men and ninth in
women. It is expected to rank as the fourth leading cause of
cancer deaths; accounting for 5-6 % of all cancer related deaths
in the United States in 2002.(1) Five-year survival is less
than 5% for all stages. The ability of adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy
to significantly impact on survival in pancreatic cancer has
been examined in several randomized and nonrandomized trials.
with statistically significant, but clinically modest results.
The National Cancer Institute Progress Review Group on pancreatic
cancer recently met and published its findings This group identified
the development of novel therapeutic approaches as one of the
highest priorities. In particular they identified development
of immunotherapeutic approaches as a target area for new research
in pancreatic cancer. Immunotherapeutic approaches are potentially
attractive because they may be able to complement current chemo-radiotherapy
adjuvant therapies. Several recent clinical trials of adjuvant
immunotherapy by our institution, as well as, the Johns Hopkins
University for the treatment of pancreatic cancer have demonstrated
promise.(12-13). Despite these encouraging results, little is
currently understood about the immunobiology of pancreatic cancer.
Further progress in this field, rests on a better understanding
of these immunologic defects that occur in patients with pancreatic
cancer. We are defining this immunobiology by first characterizing
tumor antigen/epitope reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from peripheral
blood, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor draing lymphnodes
from pancreatic cancer patients. We are also investigating the
state of activation and function of NK and DC form patients
with pancreatic cancer. The singular focus of my laboratory
program is to better understand the immunobiology of pancreatic
cancer and to directly translate these observations into improved
strategies for treatment of patients with this disease.
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