The Hirshberg Foundation is committed to advancing the most innovative science with the potential to change outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. UCLA is home to many of the nation’s leading investigators tackling this disease from every angle, and we are proud to support the research ecosystem that enables discoveries like this one.

UCLA scientists have developed a next-generation immunotherapy that has shown remarkable effectiveness in multiple preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. This approach, called CAR-NKT cell therapy, demonstrated the ability to eliminate tumors in the pancreas as well as in metastatic sites, in contrast to existing cell therapies that have struggled against pancreatic cancer’s complex biology.

Unlike current personalized cell therapies, which require weeks to manufacture and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, this new platform can be mass-produced from donated stem cells and stored ready-to-use. At an estimated $5,000 per dose, this model represents a potential shift in both accessibility and speed, two critical barriers for pancreatic cancer patients who often cannot afford to wait.

CAR-NKT cells also overcome many of the defenses that make pancreatic tumors so difficult to treat. By using a unique immune cell type called invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells and equipping them with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting mesothelin, these engineered cells attack tumors through several mechanisms at once. In preclinical testing, they were able to reach tumors in the pancreas and those metastasized to challenging sites such as the liver and lungs, seeking out cancer cells wherever they spread.

The UCLA team tested this therapy in advanced models that mimic the harsh biological environment of pancreatic cancer more accurately than standard laboratory approaches. Across these rigorous tests, the CAR-NKT cells demonstrated the ability to track and infiltrate tumors in multiple organs, maintain strong and sustained cancer-killing activity, and resist exhaustion that often limits other cell therapies; together, these results show that the therapy consistently slowed tumor growth and extended survival in challenging preclinical models.

This novel immunotherapy targets mesothelin, a protein found in several cancers, offering an even broader potential for cancer treatment beyond the pancreas. This same “universal” cell product could potentially be used to treat breast, ovarian and lung cancers as well. Early preclinical research at UCLA has already shown promise in these additional indications.

“Many treatments that looked promising in simpler lab models have completely failed in patients,” said study collaborator Dr. Caius Radu, a UCLA professor of molecular and medical pharmacology in the original article from UCLA. Dr. Radu was celebrated as our 2024 LA Cancer Challenge Honorary Medical Co-Chair for his work on adenosine and immunotherapy. “The fact that this therapy worked in both [orthotopic and metastatic] settings is genuinely encouraging.”

“This is an important first step for a relatively novel immunotherapy approach that is being tested in clinical trials for a variety of cancers. It is great to see such high-quality work coming out of UCLA. While it will take some time to develop, this could be a promising therapy,” said Dr. Miklos Sahin-Toth, Chair of the Hirshberg Scientific Advisory Board.

With preclinical studies now complete, UCLA investigators are preparing to submit applications to the FDA to launch first-in-human trials. This represents a crucial milestone and an opportunity to bring new hope to patients who urgently need better options.

Pioneering research like this does not happen in isolation. It grows from a scientific community fueled by collaboration, mentorship, and sustained investment in early-stage ideas. Through our support of UCLA’s pancreatic cancer research programs and our long-standing Seed Grant initiative, the Hirshberg Foundation helps cultivate the environment in which discoveries like CAR-NKT cell therapy can take shape.

Together with our research partners at UCLA, we remain steadfast in our mission to accelerate breakthroughs that can save lives. By working together, we can advance toward a future where early detection, innovative treatments and proactive prevention truly transform outcomes for those facing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, also called PNETs or PanNETs, are the second most common type of pancreatic cancer after pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas or PDACs. While PDACs arise from ductal or exocrine cells that make up the pancreas, PNETs arise from the hormone producing islets or endocrine cells. Though PDACs account for more than 90% of pancreatic cancers, the incidence of PNETs have been increasing due to increased awareness and advances in imaging. PNETs tend to be more localized and slow-growing than PDACs and therefore have better prognoses; a 5-year survival rate of 48%. Since less than 30% of patients have metastatic disease, resection surgery is commonly recommended for patients with localized disease as it is potentially curative. However, resection surgery can be quite extensive, leaving only a small portion of the pancreas and frequently resulting in diabetes and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency.

To address this, we funded a 2024 PNET Grant towards Tamas Gonda, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of the Pancreatic Disease Program at NYU. Dr. Gonda is a physician-scientist specializing in advanced endoscopy and pancreatic diseases. His research focuses on developing and refining minimally invasive therapies for pancreatic tumors, with the goal of reducing patient risk while maintaining effective disease control.

Dr. Gonda’s work has focused on maximizing the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS RFA) for PNETs. This technique uses thermal energy to destroy tumor tissue in a minimally invasive and localized manner. Dr. Gonda has set out to understand the efficacy of EUS RFA for PNETs, define the optimal treatment strategy and radiographic features to monitor response and surveillance for progression. Here we provide an update to the work being supported by The Hirshberg Foundation on this project.

In the largest cohort of EUS RFA treated PNET patients with non-functioning islets, Dr. Gonda and his team evaluated tumor response and treatment-related risks over time. They saw a 60% complete response as well as a 31.1% partial response rate combining for a 91% overall response. While 15% of patients did experience some adverse events, most were mild indicating the safety of the procedure. These findings suggest that EUS RFA can offer strong tumor control with a favorable safety profile.

Further analysis showed that traditional predictors such as tumor size, grade, or specific procedural techniques did not reliably determine treatment success. Instead, the number of ablation sites was associated with higher complete response rates, providing actionable insight into how the procedure can be optimized. This work has been presented at the American Pancreas Association (APA) and Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meetings and a manuscript for publication is currently undergoing revisions.

Unlike surgery, ablative therapies trigger gradual biological changes that evolve over months. This study revealed that tumor response continues to improve well beyond the initial follow-up period. Following a single ablation, the group found that follow-up at 2-4 months didn’t adequately capture the total number of patients who would go on to have complete responses and this took up to 12 months to fully capture. Long term follow-up showed that additional response did not develop beyond 12 months suggesting 12 months is the optimal time period to follow up and potentially reassess for repeat ablation. These findings offer critical guidance for both physicians and patients, setting clearer expectations and supporting more precise treatment planning.

The research team also examined how tumors appear on advanced imaging before and after EUS RFA, focusing on contrast enhancement and PET DOTATATE uptake. The group is also working to identify biomarkers that could predict response to EUS RFA to identify which patients would benefit from this procedure and which patients may need different interventions. This imaging-based insight moves the field closer to personalized treatment algorithms, allowing care teams to tailor follow-up and next steps based on early response signals.

To further this research, the group seeks to build models to increase the understanding of PNET development and to aid in treatment decisions based on potential outcomes. Due to the slow growth of PNETs, understanding the risk of progression for small tumors could allow for the stratification of patients who may be able to forgo treatment for surveillance or benefit from this new localized treatment and define patients who may need a more aggressive resection for optimal response.

This work and its continuation will represent meaningful progress in providing treatment for PNET patients. Dr. Gonda and his team are hoping to shift treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors toward safer, more targeted approaches. By generating high-quality evidence and clear clinical guidance, the Hirshberg Foundation is supporting research that transforms innovation into real-world benefit for patients.

To a newly diagnosed cancer patient, a blanket can feel like a small shield against a world that suddenly feels unpredictable. The gift of a blanket can signal that someone took the time to think of them. A blanket can be the reminder that they are not alone. Since 2022, the Hirshberg Foundation has partnered with Talking Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing compassion and ease to patients facing serious illness. Through their Purple Ribbon Project, Talking Angels donates beautiful keepsake blankets to our foundation, offering a gesture of care to pancreatic cancer patients and the loved ones who support them.

Talking Angels was founded in 2018 by Chandra Heyman, whose experiences with hospice during the final months of her parents’ lives shaped the heart of the organization. Chandra witnessed firsthand how small tokens of kindness, like a handmade blanket, could be deeply meaningful for families navigating illness. Those gestures inspired her to create Talking Angels, a nonprofit committed to easing emotional pain and offering warmth when it’s needed most.

Since then, Talking Angels has expanded its reach across palliative care, hospice programs, skilled nursing facilities, and cancer centers, donating thousands of blankets to patients and families. With over 500 ribbon blankets donated each year, the program continues to grow, bringing hope, comfort, and dignity to people across the country.

Our partnership began in 2022 when we received a call from Chandra, who wanted to donate 20 special-edition Purple Ribbon blankets for pancreatic cancer patients in our community. These blankets were created in honor of an anonymous donor’s wife, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in February 2022. The pancreatic cancer patient found solace in the resources she received from the Hirshberg Foundation after her diagnosis. Wanting to honor her memory, her husband encouraged Chandra to reach out and extend her compassion to other families facing this disease.

Chandra responded by launching the Purple Ribbon Project during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to honor the donor’s wife. Her husband wrote, “My beautiful wife battled pancreatic cancer for seventeen months and through it, Talking Angels (through the help of nurse C.M. at Cedars-Sinai) provided her additional love and support.”

Today, Talking Angels donates blankets not only to the Hirshberg Foundation but to Kaiser, City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai, and other cancer treatment centers, giving patients undergoing chemo and other therapies something to help them through treatment.

“The Talking Angels Foundation is honored to partner with the Hirshberg Foundation in expanding support for individuals facing pancreatic cancer. This collaboration strengthens our shared goal of delivering comfort and care to those who need it most. With the generosity of our supporters and the unified commitment of both organizations, we will widen our impact, uplift more families, and help ensure that every patient feels seen, supported, and embraced,” shared Chandra Heyman, Founder of Talking Angels.

Our partnership with Talking Angels allows us to provide a symbol of hope, kindness, and a literal hug to pancreatic cancer patients in need. As Amy Reiss, Director of Patient Programs, wrote, “A simple gesture, like receiving a soft blanket on a difficult day, can mean more than words can express. These Talking Angels blankets offer a reminder that patients are surrounded by a community that truly cares. This partnership allows us to extend not only resources, but compassion, and that can make all the difference for someone in treatment.”

As Lisa Manheim, Executive Director, said, “Collaboration is at the heart of our mission, and partnerships like this uplift our entire community. We are grateful to Talking Angels for their generosity and for joining us in supporting patients and families. When organizations come together with shared purpose, we can provide connection and meaningful care in ways none of us could achieve alone.”

We are deeply grateful to Chandra and the entire Talking Angels community for their generosity and their belief in the power of human connection. This partnership expands our ability to offer practical and emotional support to pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers. By working together, we strengthen our commitment to caring for patients and families, to ensure that there is support every step of the cancer journey.

If you or someone you love is facing pancreatic cancer, we are here for you. Explore patient and caregiver resources or connect with Amy, our Director of Patient Programs today.

As we reflect on 2025, one thing is clear: our community is driving progress on every front. From accelerating research to elevating patient support, your unwavering dedication has made this year truly remarkable. This Momentum highlights how your commitment is creating real change for families facing pancreatic cancer.

Our impact is powered by unity. Patients, families, researchers, and advocates are coming together to drive real change, proving that even the smallest actions can spark a future filled with hope.

On Saturday, November 8, the Hirshberg Foundation, in conjunction with Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC), hosted A Day of Wellness, for pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers. The day offered education, connection, and healing, empowering participants to care for both body and mind throughout the cancer journey.

The morning began with two groups, patients and caregivers, meeting separately for intimate and supportive conversations. Guided by facilitators, each group shared experiences, challenges, and coping strategies in a safe and understanding environment.

Amy Brandenberger, a pancreatic cancer patient, wrote, “it took me by surprise how much I got out of being in a room with other survivors as we all shared our stories. I felt a kind of companionship with these people that makes this pancreatic cancer journey feel less lonely.  We are all so vulnerable, this disease strips us of so many things, and being in a room with others in the same situation felt like a nice big group hug.”

Next, attendees came together for an engaging and informative Q&A with UCLA’s Sidharth R. Anand, MD, MB, of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, and Jessica Kaltman, MD, MSHS of Palliative Medicine. Both physicians spoke candidly with participants to address a wide range of questions on chemotherapy, emerging treatments, early detection, and genetic testing. Their thoughtful discussion created a unique space for open dialogue between patients, caregivers, and experts.

Peter Lau, a pancreatic cancer patient, reflected on the experience, “Hearing the different histories and hopeful stories, it was a place where I was able to exhale a relief that I didn’t realize I was carrying. It was nice to be with people face-to-face, bearing both smiles and tears as they spoke of their journeys. I think the best part of the day was realizing how much I don’t know. Although familiar with nutrition, meditation, palliative care, and my own cancer, there was considerable new information that I never thought to ask. It is difficult to truly convey how helpful this seminar was, in so many ways, but I really wish [Hirshberg Foundation] supporters could understand how you are taking the time to give us incredibly helpful tools. I walked away thinking that part of my and others’ journeys have really been easier because of the support of the Hirshberg Foundation.”

The afternoon featured a presentation and demonstration by Shelby Yaceczko, DCN, RDN-AP, CNSC, of UCLA Health. A registered dietitian and expert in oncology nutrition, Shelby shared practical tips for managing changes in taste, supporting digestion, and preparing simple, nourishing meals during and after treatment.

To conclude the day, Nancy Lomibao, MS, LMFT, from CSC, led participants in a mindfulness and meditation session focused on relaxation, resilience, and emotional well-being. Her gentle guidance encouraged attendees to find calm and balance amid the challenges of living with or caring for someone with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Jessica Kaltman shared the importance of the event, “This kind of community-based support is invaluable. Patients and caregivers often face not only medical challenges but emotional and practical ones as well. Creating a space where they can learn, connect, and be heard is an essential part of comprehensive care.”

“Partnerships like the one we have with Cancer Support Community South Bay make a profound difference for our families. When survivors and caregivers come together, they remind each other that no one is alone in this journey. That sense of connection and shared strength is what our mission is all about,” shared Amy Reiss, the Hirshberg Foundation’s Director of Patient Programs.

The Hirshberg Foundation is deeply grateful to our partners at Cancer Support Community South Bay, to our expert speakers, and to the patients and caregivers who joined us. Together, we created a meaningful space for learning, connection, and healing, a reminder that by supporting one another, we can navigate this journey with hope and resilience.