Our multidisciplinary treatment approach to pancreatic cancer requires several different kinds of treatments, including clinical trials. Our program incorporates a robust volume of clinical trials for every stage of pancreatic cancer treatment. At MCW, we provide expanded treatment opportunities for our pancreatic cancer patients. Our investigators are at the front lines of medicine and innovation through basic science research and pioneering novel clinical trials.

Using next generation sequencing techniques, scientists have recently defined pancreatic cancer as having two distinct molecular subtypes (classical and basal-like). Importantly, these subtypes may be predictive of response to chemotherapy. With generous support from the Seena Magowitz Foundation (Mattress Firm), our program has an active clinical trial which utilizes state of the art molecular profiling of endoscopic biopsy samples to determine cancer subtype. Based on the cancer subtype, patients will receive a tailored chemotherapy program prior to surgery. This trial is the first to tailor treatment by cancer subtype and will provide critically important information to further our understanding of personalized medicine (NCT03322995).