SEYMOUR, Conn., July 17, 2024 – Project Purple, a nonprofit focused on advancing the early detection and curative treatment of pancreatic cancer, announced today it has awarded a $75,000 Rick Carone Fellowship Grant for Pancreatic Cancer Research to University of Illinois Cancer Center researcher Paul Grippo, Ph.D. to study Cole Relaxation Frequency (CRF) technology for ex vivo assessment in conjunction with endoscopic ultrasound for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer.
This grant is made possible due to the financial support of both Project Purple and Team Carone.
“Dr. Grippo has been dedicated to pancreatic cancer research for nearly 30 years,” said Dino Verrelli, Founder and CEO of Project Purple. “We’re proud to support his unrelenting pursuit of breakthroughs to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages when the disease is more treatable and curable.”
The overlying hypothesis of the study is that CRF will identify early pancreas lesions in ex vivo mouse and human tissue, which will support a clinical trial of endoscopic ultrasound with CRF in patients. The CRF device will be used to identify stages of pancreatic neoplasia in fine needle biopsy samples from mice and humans. This study builds on research published in 2022 and in 2024 that evaluated the effectiveness of CRF in detecting cancer in pancreatic tissues.
“I am convinced that a pressing need in pancreatic cancer research is demonstration of an effective modality to detect this disease before symptoms appear,” Grippo said. “CRF technology, combined with endoscopic ultrasound, shows great promise in doing this. Our ultimate goal is to increase early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk populations, so that intervention can occur earlier when lives can be saved.”
Grippo is an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, part of UI Health, which includes the Cancer Center at the University of Illinois Chicago.
This Carone Fellowship Grant represents a portion of the $632,000 in grants announced in November 2022. This grant was funded through a collaborative effort with the Team Carone Foundation in memory of Rick Carone, who passed away on June 29, 2017, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Rick fought pancreatic cancer with incredible grace,” Verrelli said, “while doing so much for others facing this disease. It’s an honor to work with the Team Carone Foundation, which Rick co-founded prior to his passing.”
In June, Project Purple announced that it had awarded $250,000 in grants to researchers at Duke University School of Medicine for two studies investigating intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), precancerous pancreatic cysts that represent the only precursor to pancreatic cancer detectable on radiological scans, to help identify patients who would most benefit from surgical resection.
ABOUT PROJECT PURPLE
Founded in 2010, Project Purple is dedicated to a world without pancreatic cancer and improving the care and outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. It has funded over $3.5 million in research, largely around early detection initiatives such as PRECEDE, the world’s largest high-risk consortium for genetic mutations linked to pancreatic cancer. It helped underwrite Nebraska’s first high-risk clinic for pancreatic cancer and other cutting-edge research initiatives led by leading authorities in the field. Additionally, the nonprofit has provided more than $1.15 million in financial aid to help patients cover medical bills, utilities and housing costs while undergoing treatment. Recently, the organization began providing freshly prepared meals to patients and their families through its Nutrition Assistance Program. For more information, go to www.ProjectPurple.org.
Media Contact:
Sam DaCosta
sam.dacosta@projectpurple.org
203.714.6052
