Home A Tribute to Mark Rozells

A Tribute to Mark Rozells

“We never saw this coming. Mark was a college athlete, always fit, always eating a healthy diet, never smoked and had no family history of this disease. Pancreatic cancer is a silent killer that steals people who often don’t have a single symptom until it is too late. A few months before Mark was diagnosed, we were taking boxing classes together, and I remember him saying he was getting back into fighting shape. His passing leaves behind a wife and four children, along with his father, stepmother, and two sisters. We miss him so much it hurts. We hope you’ll consider donating to groundbreaking research that could spare families the pain we have experienced. Mark had so many amazing traits, but he was always known for his incredible humility. In honor of Mark, try to do one thing this week in a humble manner and think of Mark. It will make you smile.”

— Anita

Family portrait
Mark Rozells
Mark and Anita Rozells

Breaking New Ground in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

At the University of Pennsylvania, ACGT Research Fellow Ben Stanger, MD, PhD is leading a bold effort to tackle pancreatic cancer. Supported by the ACGT Edward Netter Memorial Investigator Award, his work focuses on overcoming the powerful defenses that make this cancer so hard to treat.

Dr. Stanger is partnering with Dr. Carl June, a global pioneer of CAR T-cell therapy, whose breakthroughs have already had life-changing impact for patients with certain blood cancers—delivering cures to people who had run out of options.

Together, this world-class team are combining two cutting-edge approaches:

  • A KRAS inhibitor weakens the tumor and reshapes its environment, making tumors more visible and vulnerable to the body’s immune cells. The KRAS gene is mutated in 90% of pancreatic cancer patients – the mutation allows cancer cells to grow uncontrollably, which is why inhibition is critical. 
  • CAR T cells—genetically engineered immune cells—are designed to break through the pancreatic tumor’s protective barrier and attack it directly.

This powerful combination has shown promising and durable results in early studies, opening the door to bringing the life-changing impact of CAR T-cell therapy to patients with pancreatic cancer. The researchers are now moving into clinical trials with patients. 

With your support and in Mark’s memory, this innovative research could help turn the tide against one of the most challenging cancers we face.