Research & Clinical Trials

UCLA is one of the country’s leading research institutions. We offer patients a wide variety of clinical trial opportunities and pancreatic disease treatments not found at smaller hospitals.

Pancreatic cancer research at UCLA

Because we participate in international, UCLA-based and industry-sponsored clinical trials, we have a diverse portfolio of clinical trial options for patients with all stages of pancreatic cancer.

Our team of experts meets regularly to explore clinical trials we would like to participate in, as well as ones we would like to initiate. Clinical trials are aimed at improving survival for patients living with pancreatic cancer, including those with cancer that has metastasized, or spread.

Putting research into practice

With the establishment of our integrated practice unit, our Center for Pancreatic Disease created a formal partnership between the center’s three research groups:

• The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
• The Pancreatic Cancer Molecular Medicine Translational Research Program
• The Center for Excellence in Pancreatic Diseases Research (CEPDR)

Many of our clinicians are also prominent pancreatic disease researchers. Our new integrated practice unit allows for extensive collaboration among the center’s research and treatment efforts.

The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was founded in 1997 by Agi Hirshberg, whose husband, Ron, died of pancreatic cancer. The program established the Ronald S. Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Lab, also supporting the UCLA Pancreas Tissue Bank.

In the early 2000s, the Hirshberg Foundation launched a seed grant program to fund scientists and clinicians testing innovative approaches to pancreatic cancer. This program has provided more than $5 million to programs researching areas, including early diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Grant recipients have gone on to generate more than $65 million in funding from agencies like the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

Funding from the Hirshberg Foundation has helped make UCLA one of the nation’s leading institutions for pancreatic cancer research.