As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our pioneering Seed Grant Program, we are proud to announce the launch of a new era in our mission to drive scientific breakthroughs: the Hirshberg Foundation UCLA Catalyst Grant Program in Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Developed in collaboration with the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases, the Catalyst Grant builds upon two decades of investment in early-stage discovery to propel high-potential research from the lab bench to the patient bedside. This new evolution of our successful Seed Grant Program reinforces our commitment to nurturing scientific talent, fostering collaboration, and transforming research discoveries into real progress for patients.
“For twenty years, our Seed Grant Program has launched the careers of young investigators and fueled discoveries that have changed the landscape of pancreatic cancer research,” said Lisa Manheim, Executive Director of the Foundation. “With the Catalyst Grants, we’re taking the next step to empower UCLA researchers to translate those discoveries into new treatments, diagnostics, and ultimately, hope for patients.”
For 2025, three UCLA investigators have been selected to receive a Catalyst Grant to advance innovative projects that have clear potential for clinical impact. The inaugural 2025 recipients embody the spirit of scientific innovation and collaboration that defines the Hirshberg Foundation’s research mission.
Evan Abt, PhD – Leveraging T Cell Responses Unleashed by Adenosine-Targeting Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment for many cancers, but pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained resistant due to its ability to evade immune detection. Dr. Evan Abt’s research seeks to overcome this barrier by targeting adenosine, a molecule that suppresses immune responses within the tumor microenvironment.
Building on discoveries from his postdoctoral work, Dr. Abt and UCLA investigators have launched a first-of-its-kind clinical trial combining a CD73 inhibitor with chemotherapy and PD-1 blockade (NCT05688215). This study explores whether inhibiting CD73, a key enzyme driving adenosine production, can reawaken the immune system to recognize and attack pancreatic tumors.
Dr. Abt’s Catalyst Grant project will analyze patient samples from this trial to determine how adenosine-targeting therapy affects anti-tumor T cell activity, clonality, and immune memory. Using cutting-edge UCLA-developed nanotechnology, his team will isolate and study tumor-specific T cells with unprecedented precision. The findings could uncover new biomarkers of treatment response and pave the way for next-generation immunotherapies that harness the body’s natural defenses against pancreatic tumors.
Jason Link, PhD – Harnessing the Adaptive Immune Response from Patients with Effective, Natural PDAC Immunity
Dr. Jason Link’s project seeks to unlock the secrets of a rare and remarkable group: exceptional survivors of pancreatic cancer who experience unusually long disease control. These individuals demonstrate that, under the right conditions, the immune system can naturally keep PDAC in check.
By studying their immune responses in detail, Dr. Link aims to identify the T cell receptors (TCRs) and PDAC specific neoantigens that enable this long-term tumor control. His research will compare these patients with those whose disease progresses more aggressively, revealing the mechanisms that distinguish durable immune surveillance from immune failure.
This project also investigates how T and B cell coordination within lymphoid niches supports sustained immune responses. Using both patient samples and genetically engineered models, Dr. Link’s work will map the pathways of naturally effective immunity in PDAC. The insights gained could guide the design of next-generation vaccines and TCR-based immunotherapies, transforming natural immune defenses into powerful therapeutic tools.
Roger Lo, MD, PhD – Linking Cellular and Genomic Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance to KRAS Inhibition in PDAC
For more than three decades, researchers have sought to target KRAS, the most common driver mutation in pancreatic cancer. Recent breakthroughs have finally made KRAS inhibitors a clinical reality, but treatment responses are often short-lived due to rapid drug resistance.
Dr. Roger Lo’s Catalyst Grant project focuses on understanding and overcoming this resistance. Drawing on his groundbreaking work in melanoma, Dr. Lo has shown that targeted therapies can inadvertently induce genomic instability, allowing cancer cells to evolve and escape treatment. His research will test whether a similar process occurs in PDAC treated with KRAS inhibitors, and whether combining these drugs with ROCK inhibitors that stabilize cancer cell genomes to limit acquired resistance and extend treatment response.
By studying both pancreatic cancer cell lines and patient-derived models, Dr. Lo’s team aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms driving acquired resistance and identify biomarkers that can facilitate future clinical trials. This research could lead to more durable responses for patients.
A New Era of Translational Research
With the Catalyst Grant Program, the Hirshberg Foundation is investing in the future of pancreatic cancer research, one that bridges the gap between discovery and treatment. These inaugural projects embody the program’s purpose: to support bold ideas that move science forward and improve outcomes for patients.
As we look ahead to the next 20 years, our mission remains clear: to accelerate progress, empower innovation, and bring hope to the pancreatic cancer community.
