New fight against pancreatic cancer: research starts in Ulm

New fight against pancreatic cancer: research starts in Ulm

On June 5, 2025, the Neudecker-Scott Foundation was founded to actively support the fight against pancreatic cancer. The foundation's headquarters are in Ulm, a city that has already established itself as an important research center in oncology. uni-ulm.de reports that the foundation was launched in January 2025 to promote research at Ulm University, particularly in the areas of early detection, prevention, cancer development and metastasis.

The initial assets of the Neudecker-Scott Foundation amount to 900,000 euros, of which 200,000 euros serve as basic assets. A first project will include the co-financing of an endowed professorship at the University of Ulm, which will be advertised internationally. This professorship will specifically deal with research projects to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Personal history drives the foundation

The foundation is dedicated to Hedwig Johanna Scott, who was born on March 1, 1923 in Selb, Germany and died on June 5, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. Her son Henry Maurice Scott, himself affected by the disease, experienced the devastating effects of pancreatic cancer first hand when he was faced with a stage 4 diagnosis. This led him to an urgent search for a suitable research institute that could offer him hope. Professor Thomas Seufferlein from Ulm University Hospital was contacted because Ulm was considered a suitable location due to its excellent facilities and research tradition.

Henry Maurice Scott and his sister Helene Raya Scott, who lives in Australia and founded the foundation, implemented their late mother's wish that their entire estate be used for research funds. The founding board, which met for the first meeting on February 11, 2025, also includes Professor Thomas Wirth and Katrin Maria Müller-Rohrhirsch.

The challenges of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer, also known as pancreatic carcinoma, is one of the most aggressive types of cancer with a very poor prognosis. uniklinik-ulm.de emphasizes that tumors often form metastases. These are caused by circulating tumor cells (CTC) that break away from the primary tumor in the pancreas and travel through the bloodstream to distant organs, including the liver. Molecular analysis of these CTCs could provide crucial information about tumors and therapies, but is challenging due to their low concentration in the blood.

Scientists at the Clinic for General and Visceral Surgery at Ulm University Hospital have developed a new procedure to facilitate the detection of CTC using an ultrasensitive liquid biopsy, diagnostic leukapharesis (DLA). In a clinical study with 60 patients, the sensitivity of CTC detection was increased 60-fold, providing significant insights into the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Current research approaches

In addition to the foundation and the developments at Ulm University, research into pancreatic cancer is being advanced through numerous clinical studies. bremenstudio.de reports the findings from ten studies conducted between 2024 and 2025. These studies examine, among other things, new therapeutic strategies, immune responses and quality of life of patients.

• CROSSFIRE-Studie: Kombinationen von IRE und SABR könnten vorteilhaft sein.
• SWOG 1505: Kontinuierliche Chemotherapie verlängert Überleben signifikant.
• SarcAPACaP: Muskelverlust während der Chemotherapie als negativer Prädiktor.
• PRPD vs. klassische Whipple-OP: PRPD ist operativ effizienter.
• Hochdosiertes Vitamin C: Kostengünstiger Therapieansatz mit vielversprechenden Ergebnissen.

The rapid development of this research shows the enormous potential for advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. An interdisciplinary and patient-centered approach is considered crucial.