ATLANTA, GA – Novel findings regarding biomarkers which correlate with poor outcomes after surgery for pancreatic cancer are reported by researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). The study (abstract # 4094)* led by Milind Javle, MD, Department of Medicine, will be presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, June 2-6, Atlanta, GA.

Roswell Park researchers evaluated specimens from 34 pancreatic cancer patients for the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers and correlated the results with clinical outcomes. EMT is part of normal organ development; however, this process has recently been shown to occur in cancer cells and leads to aggressive cancer behavior.

In this study, specimens were analyzed for epithelial biomarkers (E-cadherin and cytokeratin and mesenchymal biomarkers [vimentin]). Low E cadherin indicated a better prognosis; while the presence of vimentin was associated with high grade aggressive cancers and poor survival. The data may provide a rationale for developing more effective cancer therapies such as Erlotinib (Tarceva).

In 2006, an estimated 33,730 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed and 32,300 will die from the disease. Survival rates are low with a one-year survival rate at 24 percent and the five-year survival rate at 16 percent.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians of all oncology subspecialties who care for people with cancer. ASCO’s more than 20,000 members from the United States and abroad set the standard for patient care and lead the efforts to discover more effective cancer treatments, increase funding for clinical and translational research, and ultimately, improve cancer care for the estimated 10 million people diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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*Material is embargoed until presentation: Milind Javle, MD, Department of Medicine, RPCI, will present abstract # 4094 – “Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in resected pancreatic cancer” in the general poster session (Board # E1) on Saturday, June 3, 8 am EST.