Delitto Receives Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award Continuation Grant
July 15, 2025
Dr. Dan Delitto received a Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award Continuation Grant. According to the Damon Runyon website, the award is designed to provide two additional years of support to Damon Runyon Clinical Investigators who are approaching the end of their awards and need extra time and funding to complete a promising avenue of research, or initiate/continue a clinical trial.
Delitto received the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award in 2022 to pursue novel immunotherapeutic approaches to fibrotic tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer.
“The scientific review committee noted that a surgeon receiving such extensive mentorship and divisional support is rare and should be promoted” said Delitto. “Thank you for everyone’s support.”
From the Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation website:
Pancreatic cancer develops in the midst of intense scarring and fibrous connective tissue (fibrosis). The architects of this scarring are cells called fibroblasts, known to fuel cancer growth and promote treatment resistance. Dr. Delitto’s research is focused on the interface between cancer-induced fibrosis and the immune system. He has shown that fibroblasts play a significant role in shielding cancer cells from immune cells. By altering how fibroblasts sense tissue damage, Dr. Delitto has uncovered a mechanism that reactivates the immune system to fight the tumor. He aims to further develop these findings into a novel immunotherapy regimen for pancreatic cancer.
Related Stories
– SurgeryDr. Delitto Receives Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
Dr. Dan Delitto has received the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award. Dr. Delitto will receive $600,000 over the course of three years to pursue novel immunotherapeutic approaches to fibrotic tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer.
Media Contact
Bio
About Stanford Surgery
The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:
• pioneering cutting-edge research,
• developing the next generation of leaders, and
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion.
To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu
The Latest
Stanford Cardiovascular InstituteWhen Blood Vessels Trigger Heart Failure: A New Mechanism Driving Inherited Cardiomyopathy
“For many years, LMNA cardiomyopathy has largely been viewed through the lens of the cardiomyocyte,” said Nazish Sayed, MD, PhD, senior author of the study. “Our findings suggest that the endothelium is not simply a bystander. Endothelial cells undergo profound reprogramming that can actively contribute to fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction.”
SurgeryPostdoc Spotlight: Bo Liu, DDS, PhD
Bo Liu, DDS, PhD, transitioned from dentistry to research, becoming a senior research scientist at Stanford Medicine where she leads innovative work in plastic and reconstructive surgery
SurgeryOptimizing Surgical Care Through Clinical Trials with Dr. Shipra Arya
On the latest episode of Scrubcast, Dr. Shipra Arya discusses her groundbreaking PAUSE trial focused on optimizing care for frail patients. She also introduces her new WARRIORS trial, which aims to address sex-specific screening guidelines for abdominal aortic aneurysms in women.
MedPage TodaySurgery Underused for Primary Hyperparathyroidism With End-Organ Damage, Study Says
Large study highlights gap between guidelines and clinical practice. Drs. Lia Delaney and Carolyn Seib were first and senior authors on the study.
SurgeryDr. Ahn Receives F32
General Surgery Resident Dr. Daniel Ahn has received an F32 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to fund his project: Data-Driven Solutions for Heart Allocation Policy Challenges: the LVAD Dilemma and the Status Exception Crisis.
SurgeryDr. Dunn Receives R01
Dr. James Dunn has received an R01 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to further his work on spring-mediated enterogenesis.
SurgeryDr. Awad Named Department of Surgery Vice Chair of Education
Michael Awad, MD, PhD, MHPE, has been named Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Surgery at Stanford, effective September 1, 2026, bringing extensive expertise in surgical education and minimally invasive surgery. This appointment highlights Stanford's commitment to advancing surgical training through innovation and evidence-based methods.
SurgeryAWS Selects Dr. Tso for 2026 Patricia Numann Outstanding Medical Student Award
General Surgery Intern Dr. Jade Tso was selected by the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) and the AWS Foundation as the 2026 Patricia Numann Outstanding Medical Student Award recipient.
SurgeryAR-Guided Lumpectomy Receives NCI Funding
Drs. Jacqueline Tsai and Bruce Daniel received National Cancer Institute funding to advance an augmented-reality guided lumpectomy system that uses supine volumetric MRI to help surgeons more accurately remove breast tumors. The project aims to reduce positive margins, minimize repeat surgeries and over-excision, and prepare the technology for future clinical trials.
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryDr. Paige Fox Promoted to Professor
Dr. Paige M. Fox has been promoted to Professor in the Stanford University Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, effective August 1, 2026