The Hirshberg Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the American Pancreatic Association (APA), a membership organization for physicians and researchers interested in diseases of the pancreas founded in 1969. The mission of the APA is to foster clinical and basic science research needed to cure diseases of the pancreas including pancreatic cancer. Their annual meeting brings together an international group of scientists and clinicians to identify the best course of treatment and discuss the most up to date research results for pancreatic diseases. The annual meeting starts with the Hirshberg Opening Symposium focused on the advances in a given discipline of pancreatic cancer. In addition, the Hirshberg Foundation awards the best clinical and basic science abstract presentations at the meeting. The abstracts are published in the journal Pancreas. The International Association of Pancreatology has a joint meeting with the APA every six years while the Japan Pancreas Society holds joint meetings with the APA every five years. To learn more, visit American-Pancreatic-Association.org.
The Hirshberg Foundation also supports scientific meetings at other academic societies including the European Pancreatic Club and hosts the Annual Agi Hirshberg Symposium at UCLA each Spring.
2023 Awardees
Best Abstract in Pancreatic Cancer
Michael Pfluger MD
Johns Hopkins University
Ductal Cancerization at the Pancreatic Neck Margin – Prevalence and Clinical Implications
Xiuhui Shi MD
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
ZIP4 Promotes Anorexia and Cachexia Through Activating Tumor-Associated Macrophage Infiltration and GDF15 Secretion in Pancreatic Cancer Research
2022 Awardees
Best Abstract in Pancreatic Cancer
Jason Pitarresi, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts
Tumor-Derived PTHrP Governs Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia and Antibody Blockade Prevents Adipose Tissue Wasting
Xu Zhou
University Clinic Heidelberg`
Persister Cell Phenotypes in Pancreatic Cancer Contribute to Poor Patient Outcomes After Neoadjuvant Therapy
2021 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Marta Sans PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Investigating Molecular Underpinnings of Neoplastic Progression in Pancreatic Cysts using Spatial Transcriptomics
Best Basic Science/Experimental Abstract
Gregor Werba MD
NYU Langone Health
The Double-Edged Sword of Chemotherapy – Single Cell RNA Sequencing of Human PDA Reveals T Cell Activation with Simultaneous Priming of Inhibitory Macrophages
2020 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Paula Ghaneh MBChB, MD
University of Liverpool, Great Britain
ESPAC-5F: Four arm, prospective, multicentre, international randomised phase II trial of immediate surgery compared with neoadjuvant gemcitabine plus capecitabine (GEMCAP) or FOLFIRINOX or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer
Best Basic Science/Experimental Abstract
Presented to: Kathleen DelGiorno, PhD
Vanderbilt University, United States
Tuft Cells Inhibit Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in Mice by Producing Prostaglandin D2
2019 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Talia Golan
Sheba Medical Center At Tel-Hashomer, Tel Aviv University
Olaparib as Maintenance Treatment Following First-line Platinum-based Chemotherapy (PBC) in Patients with a Gremlin BRCA Mutation and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (mPC): Phase III POLO trial
Best Basic Science/Experimental Abstract
Presented to: Daniel Heid
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Tumor-specific T Cells Reprogram Mononuclear Phagocytes for Destruction of Checkpoint Blockade Resistant Pancreatic Cancer
2018 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Ayush Sharma
Mayo Clinic
Time Course of Metabolic and Soft Tissue Changes in Pre-diagnostic Pancreatic Cancer
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Vrishketan Sethi
University of Miami (Basic Science)
Manipulation of the Gut Microbiota Modulates Pancreatic Cancer Burden in Mice
2017 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Marta Sandini
Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Medical School
Changes in Body Composition During Neoadjuvant Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Stephan Dreyer
University of Glasgow / Glasgow Royal Infirmary
DDR Defectiveness and Replication Stress in Pancreatic Cancer
2016 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Thomas Mace
The Ohio State University
Il-6 And Pd-l1 Antibody Blockade Combination Therapy Limits Tumor Progression In Murine Models Of Pancreatic Cancer
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Aatur Singhi
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Alterative Lengthening Of Telomeres And Loss Of Daxx/Atrx Expression Predicts Metastatic Disease And Poor Survival In Patients With Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
2015 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Marco Dal Molin
Johns Hopkins University
Discriminating Pancreatic Cyst Type and Grade Using Clinical Criteria: The Results of a Large Retrospective Cohort
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Induction of R201C Mutant Gas Facilitates Murine Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in Cooperation with G12D Mutant Kras
2014 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Kennichi Satoh, PhD
Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute
The Evaluation of Circulating miR-483-3p and miR-21 in Plasma of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Lei Zeng, PhD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Anti-TGF-beta Antibody Inhibits Regulatory T Cell Pathway And Induces Anti-tumor Effector T Cell Response In a Vaccine-Dependent Manner
2013 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Noboru Ideno, PhD
Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Clinical significance of GNAS mutation for invasive pancreatic carcinoma distinct from/derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas.
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Junpei Yamaguchi, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Loss of TFF2 in Pancreatic Duct Glands (PDG) results in the formation of IPMN suggesting TFF2 may function as a tumor suppressor.
2012 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Mari Mino-Kenudson, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital
mAb Das-1 Is Specific for High-Risk and Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN)
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Sulagna Banerjee, PhD
University of Michigan
Triptolide Enriches For CD133+ “Stem-Like” Tumor Initiating Cells In Pancreatic Cancer
2011 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Stefan Fritz, MD
University of Heidelberg
Small Branch-Duct IPMNs – by far Not as Harmless as Supposed
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Lidong Wang, PhD
University of Michigan
ATDC synergizes with oncogenic Kras to induce invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma in transgenic mice
2010 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Gaurav Aggarwal, MBBS
Mayo Clinic
New onset Diabetes in Pancreatic Cancer: A study in the primary care setting
Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Farzad Esni, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Loss of Hif2a Accelerates the Progression of Kras-Mediated Pancreatic Neoplasia
2009 Awardees
Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Nameeta Mujumdar, PhD
University of Minnesota
Title: Inhibition of Autophagy Triggers Apoptotic Cell Death in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Best Basic/Experimental Abstract
Presented to: Toru Furukawa, MD, PhD
Tokyo Women’s Medical University
Title: Prognostic Relevance of Morphologic Types of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas