Nelson Dusetti, Head of the Translational Research and Innovative Therapies Department at the Cancer Research Centre of Marseille (CRCM), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“On this World Pancreatic Cancer Day, I warmly thank the ARC Foundation for Cancer Research (ARC) for highlighting, in the press release published today, the strength and diversity of pancreatic cancer research carried out in Marseille across the CRCM – Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, and the IBDM.
Pancreatic cancer remains a challenge, with 16 000 new cases estimated in France in 2023 and a 5-year survival rate of only 11%. Through its PANCREAS call, renewed each year since 2022, ARC now supports six major Marseille-based projects, more than 3.5 M€ in total illustrating how our region has become a stronghold for pancreatic cancer research.
This year’s selection reflects the remarkable ecosystem that has grown here over time:
- Early detection led by Anne-Sophie Chrétien (CRCM), analysing immune-cell signatures from a simple blood draw to identify early or precancerous pancreatic lesions.
- Molecularly guided chemotherapy in borderline tumours, driven by Brice Chanez (CRCM/IPC) through a national phase II clinical trial starting in 2026.
- Extracellular-matrix remodelling studied by Frederic Bard (CRCM), exploring how tumour cells reshape their microenvironment.
- Neuronal regulation of tumour progression and pain, investigated by Fanny Mann (IBDM).
- Immune escape and stromal interactions analysed by Richard Tomasini (CRCM), focusing on the dialogue between tumour-associated fibroblasts, adipocytes and immune cells.
Within this landscape, our group (PaCaTeam) at CRCM/IPC continues to advance translational programmes aimed at deciphering chemoresistance, tumour heterogeneity and microenvironment-driven adaptation, efforts now supported by a newly awarded ARC Programme Labellisé 2025.
We are grateful for ARC’s continued confidence, and proud of what our community is building together: rigorous science, strong clinical partnerships, and a shared ambition to bring new therapeutic perspectives closer to patients.”
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