Luisa Escobar-Hoyos, MSc, PhD, assistant professor of therapeutic radiology, and a member of Yale Cancer Center, has been honored as one of six recipients of the 2025 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize. This prestigious award is given annually to leading cancer researchers and physician-scientists based in the greater New York City area. The Prize aims to empower early-career investigators to pursue groundbreaking research projects during critical stages when traditional funding is often insufficient.
Dr. Escobar-Hoyos’s laboratory is developing a novel pancreatic cancer vaccine that harnesses the body’s existing immunity to strep bacteria to target and destroy pancreatic tumors. Her research funded by this Prize will investigate the mechanism behind this immune response and evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness, potentially leading to a new therapeutic strategy against this deadly cancer.
“I envision a future where pancreatic cancer is no longer a death sentence. My research aims to harness the power of the immune system, leveraging the unexpected connection between bacterial immunity and cancer-specific antigens like K17,” says Escobar-Hoyos. “By developing innovative therapies such as the K17-targeted vaccine and personalized splicing-hit oligo therapies, I strive to transform the treatment landscape for pancreatic and other aggressive cancers, offering new hope to patients who currently have limited options.”
Over the past twelve years, The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance has awarded over $49 million to 77 scientists at 14 institutions in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. With this funding, the recipients will contribute to the greater New York City area’s growing biomedical research hub. In addition to funding, the Alliance provides Prize winners with opportunities to present their work to scientific and business audiences to encourage collaboration and help bridge the gap between academia and industry.