As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Seed Grant Program, we’re proud to highlight a new generation of researchers leading the charge to cure pancreatic cancer. Among them is Dr. Evan Abt, a 2022 Seed Grant Awardee whose research is helping to reshape the future of treatment. This year, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Abt as the Honorary Medical Chair for the 28th Annual LA Cancer Challenge and the captain of the UCLA Health team.
Dr. Abt is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA. His research explores the intersection of cancer metabolism and immune regulation to uncover how pancreatic cancers evade detection by the immune system.
Supported by a Hirshberg Foundation Seed Grant, Dr. Abt’s research identified a key metabolic mechanism that allows pancreatic tumors to suppress immune responses. This research was conducted in collaboration with his UCLA mentors, Dr. Tim Donahue, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Dr. Caius Radu, Vice-Chair, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology. Their studies revealed that pancreatic cancer cells produce excessive amounts of a metabolite called adenosine, which dampens the immune system’s ability to attack the tumor.
With an expertise in the crosstalk between metabolism and immune responses, Dr. Abt applied his Seed Grant funding to uncover and target this adenosine process. This work has opened the door for new combination therapies that include adenosine inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to enhance immune responses against pancreatic cancer.
“By understanding how tumors adapt metabolically and immunologically, we can design smarter therapies that overcome those defenses,” says Dr. Abt. “This research has been a deeply collaborative effort among UCLA scientists and clinicians. The support from the Hirshberg Foundation allows us to work together to tackle this devastating disease.”
Dr. Abt’s impact extends beyond the lab; he is also committed to mentoring the next generation of pancreatic cancer researchers. One of his students, Ella Dunderdale, received support from the Hirshberg Foundation to continue performing research over the summer during her academic break. “The talent, creativity, and dedication of our junior scientists is truly remarkable,” Dr. Abt notes. “I’m incredibly thankful for the Hirshberg Foundation’s support of their training.”
Dr. Abt will bring his passion and dedication to the LA Cancer Challenge this October, rallying the UCLA Health team and helping us raise critical funds for pancreatic cancer research. By supporting early-career scientists like Dr. Abt, our Seed Grant Program continues to fuel the breakthroughs that will one day lead to a cure.
