The 2025 AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research – Emerging Science Driving Transformative Solutions took place in Boston, Massachusetts, from September 18 to October 1, bringing together global leaders to share cutting-edge research in pancreatic cancer biology, detection, treatment, and prevention.
Covering topics from tumor evolution and therapeutic resistance to the immunosuppressive microenvironment, cancer metabolism, and emerging immunotherapies, the program combined scientific sessions with mentoring, career development, and discussions on current controversies.
With 450-500 participants expected from around the world, the conference provided a collaborative platform for interdisciplinary learning, cross-sector dialogue, and translating discoveries into improved patient outcomes, while supporting the next generation of pancreatic cancer researchers.
Our team at OncoDaily has handpicked 12 highlights from AACRpan 2025. Scroll down to catch the highlights, dive into the science, and hear directly from the people shaping the future of cancer care.
American Assotiation for Cancer Reserach:
“Altered Pancreas Function for Detection and Interception of Localized Pancreatic Cancer: Brian M. Wolpin addressed this topic in an Opening Keynote Lecture this evening at the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research.”
“It was a great honor to have Dr.Vincent Picozzi WA-Seattle and Dr. Meg Mandelson stop by our poster presentation at AACRpan25 and engage in thoughtful discussion about our research on TMEM240 cfDNA methylation as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer progression.
Their insights and encouragement mean a lot to our team, and we are inspired to continue advancing non-invasive, precision medicine approaches for improving patient care in pancreatic cancer.
Many thanks again to everyone who joined the discussion and shared valuable feedback.”
Ryan M.Carr, Medical Oncologist at the Mayo Clinic Rochester:
“Productive AACRpan25. Strong showing from Mayo Clinic and our lab across computational pathology, epigenetics, and mouse models, aimed at practical gains in PDAC care. Back to work.”
Despina Siolas, Assistant Professor at the Weill Cornell Medicine:
“Exciting updates from the American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer Research underscore how critical hotspot KRAS mutations are – not only in shaping tumor biology, but also in guiding drug development.
These insights are paving the way for better patient stratification in clinical trials and for understanding mechanisms of tumor resistance. In my lab, we are working on unique aspects of this biology to help translate discoveries into more effective therapies.”
“Epigenetic Silencing of TMEM240 in Pancreatic Cancer.
A promising cfDNA biomarker for monitoring liver and peritoneal metastases.
Why it matters: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, with less than 3% survival at stage IV. Reliable non-invasive biomarkers for metastasis monitoring are urgently needed.
Our findings:
- TMEM240 is epigenetically silenced in PDAC tumors across Western and Asian cohorts.
- Overexpression suppresses cell viability, motility, and invasion.
- cfDNA methylation levels of TMEM240 correlate strongly with tumor burden, treatment response, and intra-abdominal metastases.
Impact: TMEM240 cfDNA methylation represents a minimally invasive biomarker with strong clinical potential for real-time monitoring of disease progression in advanced PDAC.
Proud collaboration between Taipei Medical University, EG BioMed (Taiwan & US), Shuang Ho Hospital, and Wanfang Hospital.
Take-home message:
cfDNA-based epigenetic biomarkers are paving the way for improved clinical management in pancreatic cancer.”
Rodrigo Curvello, Research Fellow at the Monash University:
“These past few days at the AACRpan25 have been fantastic! For a biomedical engineer as myself, this pancreatic cancer-focused conference was an unique opportunity to learn more about tumour biology, engage with a great scientific community, and receive valuable feedback on my team’s work. I am now heading back home with a bag full of ideas and renewed inspiration for my research.
Thanks Monash Engineering and Monash Chemical and Biological Engineering for all support!”
Audrey Lumeau, Postdoctoral fellow at the Barts Cancer Institute:
“Today is the last day of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research in Boston.
Yesterday I presented my poster on tracking genome evolution and chemoresistance in PDAC – work I’ve been doing in Sarah McClelland’s Lab and in collaboration with Nelson Dusetti.
Thank you all for the very positive feedback on my work and special thanks to Pancreatic Cancer UK for giving me this opportunity.”
Jennifer Chun Kim, Executive Director of the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI):
“It was a momentous and historic celebration AACR Pancreatic Cancer Research Meeting in Boston as we honored our inaugural Stephenson Global Prize Winner, Dr. Frank McCormick!
The 1 million dollars prize not only celebrates Dr. Frank McCormick’s extraordinary life’s work, but also fuels his research lab to turbocharge forward in its mission of prevention and discovery.
To witness his passion reignited and his vision for a future without pancreatic cancer shining brighter than ever is a gift to us all – and a reminder of why this Prize matters so deeply.”
Angisha Basnet, Graduate Research Assistant at the West Virginia University School of Medicine:
“Honored to receive the Scholar-in-Training Award and to be selected for a short talk during Plenary session: Biology of Cancer Progression at the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer.
Thank you to the organizers for this incredible opportunity, and to Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer for supporting this award and championing young researchers. It was truly inspiring to learn from some of the leading experts in the field and to witness so many groundbreaking advancements in pancreatic cancer research.”
American Association for Cancer Research:
“AACR Fellow and Past President Frank McCormick received the inaugural Stephenson Global Prize – a 1 million dollars prize recognizing lifetime achievement in pancreatic cancer research – and delivered his award lecture this morning at the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research.”
Emily Lasse Opsahl, Research Fellow at the University of Michigan:
“Earlier this week, I got to talk about my thesis work at the AACR special conference on pancreatic cancer. I’ve been to this conference for the past 3 years and always have a great time hearing all the amazing talks.
I am so grateful this year for the opportunity to share my work on stage.”
Jash Datta, HPB surgical oncologist, Assistant Director of Transdisciplinary Research, and DiMare Family Chair in Immunotherapy, Associate Professor at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center:
“We are delighted to present our study and partnership with Cantargia at AACRPan25 to move fwd IL1RAP inhibition as a strategy to improve chemoimmunotherapy sensitivity in Pancreatic Cancer – some BIG news to come soon!”
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Written by Nonna Movsisyan.
