ACPMP - Appendix Cancer / Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation

09/02/2026

A new investigational treatment is being studied for appendiceal and colorectal cancers that have spread within the abdomen.

A new Phase 1 clinical trial at Brown University Health is testing ACM-CpG, an experimental immunotherapy being developed by Arcamyra Therapeutics.

The treatment is designed to be delivered directly into the abdominal cavity, where it may help stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. Researchers will primarily be evaluating the treatment’s safety, while also looking for signs of effectiveness.

The trial is specifically studying patients with appendiceal or colorectal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastases who have not done well with previous treatments.

While it is still very early in development, trials like this are an important part of advancing new treatment options for people facing peritoneal disease.

📺 NBC 10 News recently featured the trial and spoke with principal investigator Dr. Khaldoun Almahanna about this first-in-human study.

📰 Press Release:https://arcamyra.com/assets/press-release.pdf

🔎 Clinical Trial NCT07658196: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07658196

💻 Explore this trial and stay informed about other clinical trials through ACPMP’s Clinical Trial Database: https://acpmp.org/research/clinical-trials/

A new investigational treatment for certain folks with colorectal or appendix cancer.

09/01/2026

Meet Vivian Morgan and her daughter, Whittney Allen, from Kentucky.

A scan for an unrelated medical issue changed everything for Kentucky nurse Vivian Morgan.

The imaging revealed an abnormality involving her appendix, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), a rare tumor of the appendix. After more than 30 years of caring for others as a nurse, Vivian suddenly found herself on the other side of health care as the patient.

Thankfully, Vivian’s cancer was found at a stage where an appendectomy was all she needed. No additional cancer treatment was necessary, and today she is doing well.

Vivian was treated by Dr. Prakash Pandalai, whose expertise, compassion, and willingness to take the time to explain such a rare diagnosis made an enormous difference for Vivian and her family.

Her experience also inspired her daughter, Whittney Allen, to become involved with the ACPMP Research Foundation and helped spark an effort to bring greater recognition to appendix cancer in Kentucky. That advocacy culminated when Governor Andy Beshear proclaimed August 2026 Appendix Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.

Vivian hopes sharing her experience will help bring greater visibility to a disease many people have never heard of until it affects them or someone they love.

“This diagnosis was not something I would have chosen, but I can choose what I do with the experience. I can talk about it, advocate for others and help bring attention to a rare disease that deserves greater awareness.”

As we look ahead to Appendix Cancer Awareness Month 2027, ACPMP’s Proclamation and Light Up Amber campaigns will continue to provide patients, families, and advocates with resources and support to help spread appendix cancer awareness across the country and around the world.

We’re grateful to Vivian and Whittney, and to everyone who continues to take action and help bring greater visibility to appendix cancer.

Appendix Cancer Awareness Month Proclamations:
Delaware, represented by Carol Clancy
Florida, represented by Scott Davis
Hawaii, represented by Dandylyon Darr
Idaho, represented by Katelen Fortunati
Illinois, represented by Ellen Zolper
Illinois, Village of Schaumburg, represented by Ellen Zolper
Kentucky, represented by Vivian Morgan and Whittney Allen
Louisiana, represented by Anonymous
Maryland, represented by Scott Durkin
Michigan, represented by David Zyble
New Jersey, represented by Deanna Flanick and Yesenia Madas
New York, represented by Anonymous
Pennsylvania, represented by Judy Culbertson of ACPMP
South Dakota, represented by Lindsay Frankenfeld
Virginia, represented by Alyssa Strackbein
West Virginia, represented by Ashby Kave
Wisconsin, represented by Deborah Stalsberg

Learn more about Proclamations, Light Up Amber and the Amber Circle recurring giving program: https://acpmp.org/appendix-cancer-awareness-month/

09/01/2026

Research is how we change the future of appendix cancer.

The ACPMP Changemaker Research Grant was created to support bold scientific, clinical, and translational work with the potential to change our understanding of appendix cancer and PMP and ultimately make a difference for patients.

The $150,000 grant provides an opportunity to support promising ideas that can address critical questions in this rare disease and open new possibilities for treatment.

This year, Dr. Mohammad H. Choudry and his team are investigating an innovative approach to overcoming the mucinous barrier in appendiceal PMP, an obstacle that can prevent therapies from reaching tumor cells.

That is the spirit of the Changemaker Grant: supporting innovative ideas today that could shape the possibilities of tomorrow.

This Changemaker Research Grant is dedicated in loving memory of Katie Centorbi, whose legacy lives on through work that brings hope to future patients and families affected by appendix cancer and PMP.

Grants like this are made possible through the generosity of the ACPMP community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supports this work and helps us invest in the future of appendix cancer research.

Together, we’re helping create new possibilities for patients, and working toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

08/31/2026

As an exciting wrap-up to August Appendix Cancer Awareness Month, ACPMP is pleased to congratulate Dr. Choudry at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) as our newest recipient of ACPMP's $150K Changemaker Research Grant!

Dr. Choudry's research introduces a new paradigm for intraperitoneal therapy of appendiceal PMP: sequential MUC2-targeted mucolysis followed by heat-triggered nanoparticle drug delivery. This research seeks to overcome a fundamental limitation of current HIPEC. That limitation is that the dense MUC2-rich mucus matrix physically blocks chemotherapeutic drugs and immune cells from reaching the underlying tumor cells. Dr. Choudry and team's new paradigm transforms the mucinous microenvironment from a drug-excluding barrier into a therapeutic target.

Grants like these are possible because of our donors.

This Changemaker Research Grant is dedicated in loving memory of Katie Centorbi, whose legacy lives on through research that brings hope to future patients and families affected by appendix cancer and PMP.

To date, the ACPMP community has helped fund more than $2.5 million in research and more than 50 research grants, supporting scientists and clinicians working to advance the field.

Every donation helps move us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible.

Learn more about ACPMP’s research impact: https://acpmp.org/research/research-grants-awarded/

Congrats to Mohammad H. Choudry, MD 🎉—2026 ACPMP - Appendix Cancer / Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation Changemaker Research Grant recipient for his project, "MUC2-Targeted Mucolysis and Heat-Triggered Nanotherapeutic Drug Delivery to Overcome the Mucus Barrier in Appendiceal Pseudomyxoma Peritonei."

This grant is dedicated in loving memory of Katie Centorbi.

Check out more SSO & ACPMP Funding opportunities: https://www.abstractscorecard.com/cfp/submit/login.asp?EventKey=QOTNVENT

08/31/2026

Today is the final day to join the Amber Circle during Appendix Cancer Awareness Month.

This month, our community has come together to raise awareness, share stories, educate others, and remind patients and families that they are not alone. None of this is possible without the generosity of our donors.

Become a monthly donor and help sustain awareness, education, research, and support all year long.

All Amber Circle members will receive:
✔️ Digital badge
✔️ Social media kit
✔️ Free awareness item from our shop
✔️ Thank you package mailed out in Sep

Join before midnight: https://secure.acpmp.org/amber-circle

08/30/2026

Grief is a personal journey, and there’s no “right” way to go through it.

On Grief Awareness Day, we honor every path, every story and every step forward. 💛

Support is available:
Grief resources: dougy.org
Find a local support group: griefshare.org
Text HELLO to 741741 – Crisis Text Line
Find international hotlines: findahelpline.com

08/30/2026

New Webinar Recording: Educating Providers, Improving Care: Inside the New CME Course

How can better provider education lead to better care for patients with appendix neoplasms?

In this ACPMP Research Foundation Educational Webinar, Dr. Ugwuji N. Maduekwe of the Medical College of Wisconsin introduces “The Neoplastic Appendix: When to Watch, When to Act, When to Refer,” a new online continuing medical education (CME) course developed in partnership with ACPMP.

The conversation explores why the course was created, who it was designed for, and how expanding provider education can improve awareness, clinical knowledge, and multidisciplinary care for patients with appendix neoplasms.

Dr. Maduekwe also answers questions from patients and caregivers about this important educational initiative and the role of CME in helping healthcare professionals better recognize and manage these rare diseases.

▶️ Watch the full webinar recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLaNFSwKX1I

🔬 Interested in learning more about appendix cancer and PMP? Join us October 2 for the ACPMP Research Foundation Symposium, featuring leading experts and the latest advances in research, treatment, and care: https://events.zoom.us/ev/ApySAaBQu-cxnERV7FuazktJ-EyduGDPS60ojef9F4R8k2lJ1Pwx~AupskxEiNboRSjGDKUWvYFpHqbjczHCdps1ZBxFHgLOSZJXtZ-GfVqUcaOgZQ3B3B6iyvMiENYCSlETHzXHnyR89BQ

08/28/2026

Meet Lindsay Frankenfeld from South Dakota.

On February 8, 2023, Lindsay went to urgent care with a sharp pain. What seemed like something ordinary quickly turned into an unexpected diagnosis of appendix cancer.

Everyone initially thought it was something more routine until a doctor suggested one more test. That test sent Lindsay to the ER, where she had her appendix removed for what appeared to be appendicitis. One week later, her surgeon called to tell her it was cancer: a high-grade mucinous appendiceal tumor with signet ring cell features.

Lindsay went on to have another surgery, 12 rounds of chemotherapy, and two trips to Mayo Clinic. Today, she is doing well, in surveillance, and feeling great.

During her treatment, Lindsay’s partner, Dan, was an amazing caregiver. On one day when Lindsay felt pretty yucky and nothing sounded appetizing, Dan brought her a plate of saltines and gave a little bow as he presented them like a gourmet meal. It was a small moment, but it brought Lindsay an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy in a way she might not have fully appreciated before.

Those feelings can fade once life starts to feel normal again, Lindsay says, but every so often, they come back in ripples and waves.

Appendiceal cancer is rare, and most people know very little about it, which makes awareness especially important. Lindsay was proud to work with ACPMP to bring this proclamation to South Dakota, where Governor Larry Rhoden recognized August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month.

There is no action too small when it comes to raising awareness. Every proclamation, landmark lit in amber, and story shared helps make appendix cancer more visible and helps our community be seen and heard. Through ACPMP’s Proclamation and Light Up Amber campaigns, we provide patients, families, and advocates with resources and support to help spread appendix cancer awareness across the country and around the world. We’re grateful to Lindsay, and to everyone taking action this August.

Appendix Cancer Awareness Month Proclamations:
Delaware, represented by Carol Clancy
Florida, represented by Scott Davis
Hawaii, represented by Dandylyon Darr
Idaho, represented by Katelen Fortunati
Illinois, represented by Ellen Zolper
Illinois, Village of Schaumburg, represented by Ellen Zolper
Kentucky, represented by Vivian Morgan and Whittney Allen
Louisiana, represented by Anonymous
Maryland, represented by Scott Durkin
Michigan, represented by David Zyble
New Jersey, represented by Deanna Flanick and Yesenia Madas
New York, represented by Anonymous
Pennsylvania, represented by Judy Culbertson of ACPMP
South Dakota, represented by Lindsay Frankenfeld
Virginia, represented by Alyssa Strackbein
West Virginia, represented by Ashby Kave
Wisconsin, represented by Deborah Stalsberg

Light Up Amber Landmarks:
https://acpmp.org/light-up-amber-for-appendix-cancer/

Learn more about Proclamations, Light Up Amber, the Amber Circle recurring giving program, and other ways you can support the appendix cancer community (like downloading Yesenia's yard sign to print!) during Appendix Cancer Awareness Month: https://acpmp.org/appendix-cancer-awareness-month/

08/28/2026

New Webinar Recording: Understanding the New Metformin Clinical Trial for PMP

What could metformin teach us about pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)?

In this ACPMP Research Foundation Educational Webinar, Dr. Oliver Eng of the University of California, Irvine, joined moderator Dr. Deepa Magge of Vanderbilt University Medical Center to discuss the newly launched clinical trial:

“Metformin in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Secondary to Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms”: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07693452

The conversation explores the science behind the trial, who may be eligible, what participation involves, and the broader need for additional treatment options for patients with recurrent, refractory, or unresectable PMP.

This study builds on prior research supported by the ACPMP Research Foundation and represents an important step toward expanding treatment options for patients with PMP.

▶️ Watch the full webinar recording: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VPwHkSX1fj4&feature=youtu.be

Want to hear more about where appendix cancer research is headed? Join us October 2 for the ACPMP Research Foundation Symposium, featuring leading experts and the latest advances in research, treatment, and care for appendix cancer and PMP.

Register now: https://events.zoom.us/ev/ApySAaBQu-cxnERV7FuazktJ-EyduGDPS60ojef9F4R8k2lJ1Pwx~AupskxEiNboRSjGDKUWvYFpHqbjczHCdps1ZBxFHgLOSZJXtZ-GfVqUcaOgZQ3B3B6iyvMiENYCSlETHzXHnyR89BQ