Andrew Hendifar, MD, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Clinical Trials Office and professor of Medicine, is available to discuss late-breaking, embargoed results of a trial of a new therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, as well as Phase II results from a trial of a combination therapy that targets specific genetic mutations in pancreatic cancer cells.

Additional Cedars-Sinai Experts

Leslie Ballas, MD, professor of Radiation Oncology, will participate in a panel discussion and can discuss evidence related to use of biomarkers or circulating tumor DNA in treatment decisions for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Fahima Dossa, MD, PhD, a surgical oncologist, will present research on which patients with high-risk localized soft tissue sarcoma are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy.

Stephen Freedland, MD, director of the Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle, will present a post hoc analysis of the EMBARK trial in advanced prostate cancer, detailing testosterone recovery following treatment suspension. Freedland can also discuss research from his lab on use of olaparib, an enzyme blocker, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and statin use in prostate cancer patients receiving hormone treatment after prostate-removal surgery.

Lawrence Liu, MD, a hematology oncologist, will present research on recent advances in CAR T-cell therapies for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. The work involves mezigdomide, part of a new drug class in myeloma, following infusion with idecabtagene vicleucel, a genetically modified CAR T therapy derived from the patient’s own cells.

Arsen Osipov, MD, associate professor of Medicine and medical director of Pancreatic Cancer, can discuss research from his lab on the comprehensive molecular profiles associated with variants of the KRAS gene and patient survival in pancreatic cancer. KRAS mutations are found in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.

Karen Reckamp, MD, professor of Medicine and director of the Division of Medical Oncology, can discuss the treatment landscape for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. She can explain research from her lab on a machine learning approach for predicting immune-related pneumonitis, a noninfectious lung inflammation that can occur following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. She can also speak about new data from Lung MAP, a clinical trial designed to efficiently test treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancers. And she will make a presentation on support of academic nonclinical efforts for cancer investigator faculty at the Association of American Cancer Institutes.

Kamya Sankar, MD, assistant professor of Medicine and co-director of the Thoracic Disease Research Group, will present an analysis of factors associated with early cachexia—also known as cancer wasting disease—in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. She can also speak about treatment of both non-small cell and small cell lung cancer.

From The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute

Mark Faries, MD, surgical oncologist and professor of Surgery, can discuss a five-year update from the KEYNOTE-942 study in resected melanoma and a new study of lymph node resection versus therapeutic dissection in advanced melanoma, as well as recurrence in advanced melanoma across time.

Erwin Grussie, MD, a hematology oncologist, can discuss results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study testing targeted therapies in patients with solid tumors.

Omid Hamid, MD, professor of Medicine and chief of Translational Research and Immuno-Oncology, will present results from a study of a medication that blocks the action of cortisol in patients with advanced solid tumors, as well as a study of causes of limited immunotherapy response in melanoma. He can also discuss new results from three trials of therapies in advanced melanoma.

Inderjit Mehmi, MD, a hematology oncologist, can discuss the association of prior immunotherapy treatment with limited response to subsequent immunotherapy in melanoma.

Media Contact

To schedule an interview, contact Christina Elston at christina.elston@cshs.org or 626-298-0702.

“These rising cancer rates are expected worldwide, and large-scale efforts need to be made to encourage lifestyle changes and develop screening programs to reduce them,” said Ju Dong Yang, MD, medical director of the Liver Cancer Program and professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and co-corresponding author of the study.

Liver Cancer

Yang said that up to 70% of liver cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes, because while hepatitis B and C were once leading causes of liver cancer in the U.S., they are being eclipsed.

“Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, is emerging as a leading cause of liver cancer in Western countries, including the U.S.,” Yang said. “This is a buildup of fat in the liver that is associated with diabetes, obesity, and uncontrolled high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

Taking steps to help control these risk factors is the best way to reduce risk, Yang said.

Yang said that only about 20% of people in the U.S. with cirrhosis from hepatitis and other chronic liver conditions receive liver cancer screening, which could help improve early detection and patient outcomes. Only about 30% of liver cancers are detected at an early enough stage for cure, Yang said.

Esophageal and Gastric Cancers

Lifestyle factors and limited screening also come into play in risk for esophageal and gastric cancers, said Alexandra Gangi, MD, director of the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Jim and Eleanor Randall Department of Surgery and director of the Gastrointestinal Tumor Program.

“These tumors cause few symptoms before the cancer has spread—and they tend to spread rapidly,” Gangi said. “To reduce risk, focus on preventable issues such as obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, and diet. And if you have other risk factors such as chronic acid reflux, gastritis or family history of these cancers, speak with your doctor about screening.”

Colorectal Cancer

Everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer by age 45—but those with a family history of the disease should begin sooner, said Alessio Pigazzi, MD, PhD, director of the Division of Colorectal Surgery. Results of that first screening, along with other risk factors, will help determine how often follow-up screenings are needed.

“Late diagnosis makes colorectal cancer highly lethal, while early diagnosis leads to very high cure rates,” Pigazzi said. “To reduce risk, everyone should eat a diet focused on whole foods that are high in fiber and low in sugars and animal fats, exercise regularly, keep up with screenings, and watch for colon cancer symptoms such as frequent rectal bleeding or unexplained changes in bowel habits.”

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is another GI cancer usually diagnosed in advanced stages—with 50% of people diagnosed when the disease has already spread, said Arsen Osipov, MD, medical director of Pancreatic Cancer and Multidisciplinary Programs and Integration.

“There have been recent advances in early detection and treatment, including blood-based ‘liquid biopsy’ tests and structured screening programs for those with strong genetic risk,” Osipov said. “And multidisciplinary clinics, such as one pioneered at Cedars-Sinai, help accelerate diagnosis and treatment planning, and improve access to clinical trials and patient outcomes.”

To reduce pancreatic cancer risk, Osipov recommended paying attention to modifiable lifestyle factors similar to those for other GI cancers. He also suggested that people with chronic pancreatitis or family history of pancreatic cancer consider genetic counseling and participation in a high-risk surveillance program.

On the Horizon

Cedars-Sinai research is changing the landscape of GI cancer detection and treatment, said Katelyn Atkins, MD, PhD, interim chair and medical director of Radiation Oncology. Blood-based biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA are improving early detection and allowing for tailored treatments and better detection of recurrence in colorectal cancer—and are now being leveraged for other GI sites, Atkins said.

“Improvements in radiation oncology techniques are allowing us to deliver the therapy more precisely and better protect nearby organs, making it safer to deliver more intense and effective treatment,” Atkins said. “There is also growing use of radiotherapy as an alternative to radical surgery in rectal, esophageal and gastroesophageal cancers.” 

Biomarker-driven treatment is also improving integration of radiotherapy into treatment regimens that also include surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.  

“This shift toward more personalized, biology-driven treatment approaches helps us extend survival and preserve quality of life for patients with GI cancers,” said Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “We will continue to work to improve treatment options and prevent cancer incidence in our community.”  

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

“After 35 years of marriage, my heart still sings when I look at her,” Philip said. “My cancer was much worse on Linda than it was on me, and her cancer was worse on me than it was on her. Whichever one of us was sick, the other one filled in the gaps. But that’s the way we normally live our lives. Whatever one needs, the other one provides.”

Philip’s pancreatic cancer was detected in early 2024 during an unrelated MRI of his kidneys. Arsen Osipov, MD, medical director of the Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic and Multidisciplinary Cancer Programs and Integration at Cedars-Sinai, Philip’s oncologist, said it was a stroke of luck.

“He was diagnosed at a curable stage, before the cancer had spread,” Osipov said. “Only 10 to 20% of patients with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed this early.”

Philip was one of the first patients to visit the multidisciplinary clinic, where in a single day he met with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists and other experts, and agreed on a treatment plan: four months of chemotherapy, followed by radiation and a complicated surgery called a Whipple procedure.

“This is a complex operation where we remove what’s called the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct,” said Nicholas Nissen, MD, director of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. “After removal, these structures are reattached to restore normal function.”

This procedure once required large incisions, but because radiation and chemotherapy successfully shrank Philip’s tumor, Nissen was able to perform the procedure robotically.

“This allows us to make smaller incisions, with lower risk of complications and a shorter recovery time for the patient,” Nissen said.

After four days in the hospital and two more months of chemotherapy, Philip was declared cancer-free in June.

But the couple had just a few days to celebrate.

Less than a week after Philip learned he was cancer-free, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer after undergoing a routine mammogram.

“As a health system, we focus on screening and are always developing new ways to detect cancer early,” said Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “For both of these patients, early detection was key to the best possible outcome.”

Still, the diagnosis was a bit of a shock to Philip and Linda.

“It was sort of unbelievable,” Linda said. “But we had been through the whole process with Phil, and his surgery was much more serious than mine, and he did so well that I felt much more comfortable.”

And she, too, was lucky, said Armando Giuliano, MD, director of Breast Surgical Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer and Linda’s surgeon.

“She had a screen-detected cancer that has no symptoms. You can't feel it. It causes no pain, no discharge,” Giuliano said. “The only way you can detect a cancer like that is with breast cancer screening. And those cancers are the smallest cancers—the cancers that are the easiest to cure.”

Giuliano was able to perform a breast-sparing therapy known as a partial mastectomy or lumpectomy.

“We remove the area of the breast that has cancer, all the way around so that we have clean margins,” Giuliano said. “And then we do an internal reconstruction to make the breast look as natural as possible.”

Giuliano also performed a procedure he pioneered, which he continues to develop at Cedars-Sinai, called a sentinel lymph node biopsy, removing one or two lymph nodes to be certain the cancer had not spread beyond the breast.

“He did such a beautiful job that if you were to look at my breast, you would not know I had had surgery,” Linda said.

Linda’s cancer was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma, a cancer that starts in the breast ducts and can spread throughout the body. It was also HER2 positive, so it required further treatment.

“Around 20% of cancers have this overexpression of the HER2 protein, which makes them more aggressive and at higher risk of spreading,” said medical oncologist Philomena McAndrew, MD. “For this reason, after Linda’s surgery we treated her with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We followed that with radiation therapy, and Linda did incredibly well throughout each of these steps.”

One important element for Linda was McAndrew’s recommendation to use a cooling cap to help avoid hair loss during chemotherapy.

“I'm so thrilled that I did,” Linda said. “Dr. McAndrew told me that when women lose their hair, it's very traumatic. When they look in the mirror, they realize how sick they are. Fortunately, that didn’t happen to me, and I was so grateful.”

Linda completed her final radiation treatment in January and will continue preventive therapy for five years. She and Philip will also have regular follow-up screenings.

But for now they are headed from their “city house” in Culver City to their main house in Lake Arrowhead, to spend time with friends they haven’t seen in a while.

Then they’ll continue their journey, in sickness and in health, together.

“We’re going on a cruise to Hawaii at the end of February,” Linda said. “We're just trying to pack some fun into the next 20 years.”

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

“Molecular Twin, which we developed at Cedars-Sinai, can be used to study any tumor type, including pancreatic cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat,” said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the PHASE ONE Foundation Distinguished Chair, and senior author of the study. “Using our Molecular Twin technology, we anticipate creating tests that can be used even in locations that lack access to advanced resources and technology, pairing patients with the most effective therapies and expanding the availability of precision medicine.”

Investigators used the Molecular Twin platform to analyze blood and tissue samples from 74 patients with the most common and most aggressive pancreatic cancer type, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The disease begins in the cells lining ducts that carry digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine.

Investigators first combined 6,363 different biological data points, including genetic and molecular information, to create a model that accurately predicted disease survival in 87% of patients. The team then used AI to streamline the data and create a model that performed nearly as well with just 589 points of data. Zeroing in even further, investigators determined that proteins found in the blood were the best single predictor of pancreatic cancer survival.

The full and streamlined models, and the blood-protein test, outperformed the only Food and Drug Administration-approved pancreatic cancer test, a blood test called CA 19-9. The findings were validated in independent datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University.

The Molecular Twin platform was launched by Cedars-Sinai in 2021, said Arsen Osipov, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, program lead in the Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic and Precision Medicine Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, and first author of the study.

“There's a huge unmet need for the development of biomarkers to guide our treatment of pancreatic cancer,” Osipov said. “We had already undertaken a comprehensive collection of blood and tissue samples from patients with pancreatic cancer, and this gave us a good opportunity to test the Molecular Twin platform. As we grow the platform with more patients, Molecular Twin will become an even more robust tool, not just in pancreatic cancer, but across all cancers.”

Jennifer Van Eyk, PhD, an expert in the study of proteins, director of the Advanced Clinical Biosystems Institute in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and a key member of the Molecular Twin team, said that while genetic information is helpful in predicting a patient’s risk of developing cancer and the subtyping of the cancer, this study shows that proteins are the key to predicting patient survival.

“Once a patient has cancer, proteins act as the body’s first responders, and their activity helps us determine how a patient’s body is reacting,” Van Eyk said. “Proteins turned out to be the main drivers of our pancreatic cancer models. And in future studies, proteins will also help us track how well a patient is responding to treatment.”

While this initial use of Molecular Twin aims to develop tests that guide treatment of pancreatic cancer patients, the platform and its uses will continue to expand, Theodorescu said. Investigators are adding data from additional patients and branching out to include additional types of data such as medical imaging, samples of the gut microbiome and tumor microenvironment, and feedback from wearable devices that measure physical activity.

“A majority of our cancer patients are allowing us to include their clinical information and samples from blood, tumor, and other sources so that we can continue to build the Molecular Twin platform,” Theodorescu said. “This rich pool of data will help us discover biomarkers for additional cancer types, and eventually lead to the development of new treatments and the opportunity to identify at-risk patients before their cancer develops, so that we can prevent it entirely.”

Funding: This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grant number K08 CA259456, a Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Career Development Award, and U.S. Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs grant number OC210328P1.

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