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The PancChat Podcast is a collaborative effort from Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), inspired by the long-running #PancChat Twitter/X chat.
Hosted by award-winning journalist Alisyn Camerota, each episode features conversations with leading researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates who are shaping the future of pancreatic cancer care and research. Together, we deliver expert insights, personal journeys, and the latest breakthroughs—bridging the gap between science and lived experience.
Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply want to learn more, join us to connect, be inspired, and learn how you can help to accelerate progress in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Hi, I’m Cindy Gavin, CEO and Co-Founder of Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer, and it is an honor to kick off Episode Two of the PancChat podcast, in collaboration with PanCAN.
I want to thank Julie Fleshman for being our partner, Alisyn Camerota for being our host, and Revolution Medicines for their support of this important initiative.
Now, over to you, Alisyn.
Hi everyone, and welcome back to PancChat! This is our second episode, and it’s a very important one because we’ll be looking at the latest treatments for pancreatic cancer—including those currently in the pipeline—as well as ongoing research.
I’m your host, Alisyn Camerota, and today we’re talking to two experts on the front lines of the fight against pancreatic cancer: Dr. Allyson Ocean and Dr. Anna Berkenblit.
Let me begin with Dr. Berkenblit. She is PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. Dr. Allyson Ocean is a leading oncologist at Weill Cornell. She’s beloved by her patients—something I can personally attest to—and she’s also the Co-Founder and Chair of the Let’s Win Scientific Advisory Board.
Welcome to both of you!
Great to see you.
Thanks for having us!
Dr. Berkenblit, let’s start with you. You’re PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Sure. By training, I’m a medical oncologist. I was on staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, where I cared for cancer patients and ran the phase I clinical trials program for novel compounds.
About 20 years ago, I transitioned into industry because I wanted to be part of the process of developing new cancer drugs. For two decades, I worked in large pharma and biotech, focusing on diseases like breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and more recently, ovarian cancer.
A little over a year ago, I joined PanCAN. It felt like a full-circle moment—now I’m not just helping one patient at a time or one company at a time. My mission is to help all pancreatic cancer patients, support research, advocate for funding, and accelerate progress. It’s a joy to be part of this amazing organization and to work alongside esteemed physicians like Dr. Ocean.
That’s such valuable work. I'm so glad you’re sharing it with us. Where would you say we are today with pancreatic cancer research?
I wish we were further along. In the last 20 years, we’ve seen major advances in cancers like breast, colon, and renal—but we can’t quite say that yet for pancreatic cancer.
Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T therapies—many of the treatments that have transformed outcomes in other cancers—haven’t had the same impact here. We’re still using variations of chemotherapies I used over 25 years ago.
Targeted therapies have helped some pancreatic cancer patients, but only a few. That said, I believe we’re at a tipping point. It’s an exciting time, and that’s why I’m so thrilled to be here to talk about what’s ahead.
Dr. Ocean, as someone treating pancreatic cancer patients every day, what do you see as the biggest challenges in improving outcomes?
As Dr. Berkenblit said, we’re on the cusp of a major breakthrough. But one of the biggest challenges I face daily is finding and accessing the right clinical trial for each patient.
These trials open and close quickly, and spots are limited. The way we advance research is by enrolling diverse groups of patients in trials. That’s how we validate new treatments and technologies.
So, every day, I’m looking for trials. If my institution doesn’t have one open, I call nearby centers—or even out-of-state ones—if patients are willing to travel.
That’s probably the biggest day-to-day challenge for me.
I appreciate you sharing that—and everything you do for your patients. I should mention that you treated my husband. Even though he didn’t enroll in a trial at your hospital, you were a constant guide for us.
The clinical trials he was part of were game changers—so much more promising than standard care. But why is it so hard to match patients with the right clinical trials?
There are many reasons. Some doctors may not be familiar with the current landscape of pancreatic cancer treatments, especially if they’re not specialists. It also takes time—time we often don’t have—to search for trials and reach out to trial leaders.
That’s why having an advocate is so important. Whether it’s a family member, a physician, or a research nurse, someone needs to be that information-gatherer.
That’s why Let’s Win created a clinical trials finder on our website. Patients can now search based on their stage and location.
PanCAN also has a patient services program where trained case managers guide patients and families through the process. Being diagnosed is overwhelming, and we start from square one with many patients.
Our team helps interpret clinical trial options and even advocates by calling trial sites to see if spots are available. That support makes a huge difference.
It is so time-consuming for caregivers and doctors alike. Dr. Berkenblit, beyond matching patients to trials, what challenges are researchers facing right now?
The research climate has shifted dramatically in the past five months. Over 80% of pancreatic cancer research funding comes from the federal government. PanCAN has fought hard for that support over the last 25 years.
But now, federal biomedical research funding is being pulled back. That impacts grant funding, infrastructure at academic centers, and the overall pace of research.
In the short term, some promising drugs may still get across the finish line. But new innovations—things that take decades—are at serious risk. There’s already a brain drain happening, with scientists leaving the U.S. for countries with better funding support.
We’re feeling it too—mainly in the halt of new trial starts. Existing ones can continue, but initiating new research is getting harder.
That’s why we need to be creative: applying known drugs for off-label use based on a tumor’s biology, filing appeals with insurers, and backing our decisions with research and data.
Sometimes this is out of necessity, but often it’s just what’s right for the patient.
And not every doctor can do what you do. One of our friends called you a “savant who sees around corners”—and that’s been our experience.
Dr. Berkenblit, that’s a lot to ask of one physician, isn’t it?
It is—but it’s what patients need. One of PanCAN’s goals is to raise the level of care across the country. About 80% of patients are treated in community settings, not academic centers. We’re working to ensure they receive the same quality of care—through education, resources, and support.
Let’s end on a hopeful note. Dr. Ocean, what promising developments are you most excited about?
I’m excited about KRAS inhibitors—targeted drugs that block the KRAS gene, which drives growth in over 90% of pancreatic cancers.
Until now, this gene was considered “undruggable,” but that’s changing. These new oral inhibitors are showing early promise both on their own and in combination with chemotherapy. Clinical trials are underway, though spots are limited because of high demand.
Another exciting area is cancer vaccines created after surgery using a patient’s tumor proteins. These are designed to train the immune system to recognize and eliminate any remaining cancer cells. It’s a promising space that will take time, but the early data is very encouraging.
I agree 100%. KRAS inhibitors are a huge step forward. We’re seeing the first randomized Phase III trial for pancreatic cancer—DaraSan, formerly RMC-6236—currently enrolling. If successful, it would be the first KRAS-targeting drug approved for pancreatic cancer.
But resistance can develop. That’s why we need combination therapies, and the science is finally helping us predict the best pairings.
Vaccines are also really exciting, though they’re currently best suited for patients post-surgery. Unfortunately, most pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed too late for surgery. That’s why early detection and eventually, even prevention, are so crucial.
PanCAN recently enrolled 9,000 participants in our Early Detection Initiative, focusing on high-risk populations, such as those with new-onset diabetes, age-related weight loss, and genetic predispositions.
That brings us to the intersection of advocacy and research. Dr. Berkenblit, how can advocacy help right now?
PanCAN has a long legacy — 25 years — of advocating for federal research funding, including successfully securing $15 million annually through the Department of Defense specifically for pancreatic cancer research.
But we’re seeing that support weaken. Funds are dwindling, and access to remaining grants is more difficult. We need everyone in the pancreatic cancer community to email, call, and meet with lawmakers. Advocacy works—and we need it now more than ever.
Physicians can advocate, too – especially for early detection. For example, new-onset diabetes in someone over 50 should be a red flag. Primary care doctors need to be trained to think beyond blood sugar and consider pancreatic cancer risk.
The same goes for genetic risk. BRCA mutations, for instance, are widely known for breast and ovarian cancer, but also increase pancreatic cancer risk. We need to screen people with family histories more proactively and enroll high-risk individuals in regular surveillance programs like MRI or endoscopic ultrasound.
That’s where we’ll make the biggest impact—through early diagnosis when the disease is still curable.
Exactly. PanCAN recommends that everyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer undergo both molecular tumor testing and genetic testing. This informs not only the patient’s treatment but also allows family members to take proactive steps through testing and screening.
It’s a ripple effect that saves lives. And we're working to get that message out as far and wide as possible.
That is such an important point. So, before we close, is there anything else either of you would like to add?
Just a heartfelt thank you, Alisyn, for turning your pain into purpose and using your voice to raise awareness. You’re helping so many people by getting the word out about the risk factors and the research.
Thank you—I really appreciate that. It’s not an expertise I ever asked for, but I’m happy to use it to help others.
Dr. Berkenblit and Dr. Ocean, thank you both for your insights, your dedication to patients, and for joining us on PancChat today.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
And thank you to all of you for listening. You can find more information about the topics discussed today at pancan.org and letswinpc.org.
Join us next time for our next important episode on risk factors and screening for pancreatic cancer.
Thank you so much for listening today! Please remember that you can find more information about all the topics that were discussed today at pancan.org and letswinpc.org.
Tune in next time for our next important episode on risk factors and screening for pancreatic cancer.Thank you.