Browse by Medical Category
The Andrew L. Warshaw, MD, Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Find a doctor
The institute develops innovative diagnostic and treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Our researchers study the biological pathways by which this aggressive cancer develops. They apply their knowledge of pancreatic cancer biology to develop “smart drugs” for each cancer mutation, as well as more sensitive screening tests.
Pancreatic Biology Laboratory
The Pancreatic Biology Laboratory is the clinical and basic research subdivision of the Pancreatic Surgery Group at Mass General. Since its founding by Dr. Warshaw in 1972, the Lab has published 86 peer-reviewed original papers in such journals as Nature, PNAS, and Gastroenterology, 18 reviews, more than three hundred abstracts, and seven book chapters. The focus of the basic and translational laboratory efforts is the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation, progression, and maintenance of pancreatic disease and cancer, specifically the contribution of developmental genes. The laboratory also runs a robust clinical research program designed to evaluate the management and care of patients with pancreatic cancer and premalignant cystic lesions.
Genetics Models LaboratoryThe Genetic Models Laboratory focuses on understanding the genetic program for PDAC initiation and progression. We have generated a series of genetically engineered mouse models and primary pancreatic cell culture systems for these studies. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. Although a recurrent set of gene mutations has been identified in this cancer type, this information has not translated into significant improvements in patient outcome. Our laboratory focuses on understanding the genetic program for PDAC initiation and progression. We have generated a series of genetically engineered mouse models and primary pancreatic cell culture systems for these studies.
Gastrointestinal Cancers Clinical Research
The Tucker Gosnell Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers is the first center of excellence in the Harvard system that focuses on integrated multidisciplinary care and research for hepatic and biliary malignancies.
Proton beam therapy
The characteristics of Proton beam therapy enable physicians to deliver higher, more conformed doses to tumor volume while almost completely sparing normal healthy tissue.
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)
Locally advanced pancreatic cancer has been generally deemed incurable, as surgical resection has proven the only curative option. While the primary reason for lack of long term survivors is distant metastases, another reason is that current doses of external beam radiation are inadequate to completely sterilize these large, radiation-resistant tumors. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) allows for delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor under direct visualization. Our IORT program, started in 1978, was the first to show that long term survival was possible with out surgical resection. We currently use a dedicated linear accelerator within the operating room which produces high energy electrons. IORT is frequently performed in conjunction with either a gastrojejunostomy, hepaticojejunostomy, or both. Ongoing research efforts have included optimizing the integration of IORT as a method of dose escalation to the tumor in the context of a multi-agent chemotherapy program to further reduce the risk of distant metastases. Additionally, we seek to further characterize predictors of long term survivors evaluating not just disease characteristics but also treatment characteristics.
Clinical TrialsThe Cancer Center offers patients access to a wide variety of clinical trials of promising new therapies. To learn more about eligibility and participation call 877-789-6100
Projects Funded by the Center
Integrative Biology Approach to Dissect the Role of Epigenetic Regulators in Pancreatic CancerMolecular MR Imaging of the Desmoplastic Response in Pancreatic CancerSIRT2 Regulates the Oncogenicity of Mutant K-RASGenetic Mapping and Cloning of a Novel Pancreatic Cancer GeneGene Expression Profiling of Pancreatic Circulating Tumor Cells In Vivo Characterization of Olfactomedin-4 as a Potential Marker for Pancreatic Progenitor Cells and Its Prognostic Implications in Pancreatic Cancers
Back to Top