Ulm Foundation fights with millions against pancreas!

Ulm Foundation fights with millions against pancreas!

The Neudecker-Scott Foundation, which was founded in Ulm in January 2025, has committed itself to the decisive fight against pancreatic cancer. With an initial assets of 900,000 euros, of which 200,000 euros serve as a basic assets, the foundation plans to support research at the University of Ulm. This includes the areas of early detection, prevention, and the examination of cancer development and metastasis, such as uni-ulm.de reported.

A central goal of the foundation is the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, one of the most aggressive tumors in humans. Research is promoted in particular by the financing of professorships and research stays worldwide. The foundation's first project includes co -financing of a professorship at the University of Ulm, whose tender is already to take place internationally.

background of the foundation

The Neudecker-Scott Foundation is dedicated to the memory of Hedwig Johanna Scott, who was born in Selb in 1923 and died in Melbourne in 2012. Her son, Henry Maurice Scott, experienced the devastating effects of pancreatic cancer up close and was looking for a suitable research institute after the stage 4 was diagnosed. The contact with Professor Thomas Seufferlein and the selection of Ulms as a location was based on the outstanding equipment and the research competence, the Uniklinik-ulm.de emphasized.

The start -up board meeting took place on February 11, 2025. In addition to Helene Raya Scott, Professor Thomas Wirth and Katrin Maria Müller-Rohrhirsch, the board members are also Professor Thomas Seufferlein. Henry Maurice Scott's wish to use the entire estate of his mother for research reflects personal commitment to combat this form of cancer more effectively.

current state of research

pancreatic cancer is known for its aggressive properties and the frequent formation of metastases caused by circulating tumor cells (CTC). These move via the bloodstream to distant organs, such as the liver, and are often difficult to prove what both disrupts research. A new procedure developed by scientists from the Clinic for General and Visceral Surgery at the University Hospital Ulm now improves the detection of CTC. The studies carried out on 60 patients used the diagnostic leukapharesis (DLA), which increased the sensitivity of CTC identification by 60 times. This enables deeper insights into the course and the genetic properties of the tumors, important for monitoring the therapeutic responses, as explained.

Research on pancreas cancer is developing rapidly. An overview of current studies shows progressive therapeutic approaches that could increase survival. The important findings include the importance of the dose density of chemotherapy and the use of personalized therapy approaches based on genetic analyzes. Various studies have shown that innovative methods in cancer treatment can significantly improve the survival of patients.