The discovery was praised by cancer survivor Jim Edwards of Duncan. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Edwards, 53, has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments and has been cancer free for more than three years.

But Edwards said he has to get a CT scan every four months to determine if cancer has returned and that a new stem cell drug would be like an insurance policy for cancer survivors.

"It's unbelievable what it could do," Edwards said. "That way we won't have to depend on those CT scans."

Edwards said his 86-year-old mother recently was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"It's very exciting for all pancreatic cancer patients," he said. "Too bad it's not out now.”