Novel Therapeutics for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2015 Aug;29(4):777-87. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.04.006.

Abstract

The last decade has seen significant developments in the use of combination systemic therapy for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with median survival approaching 1 year for select patients treated with FOLFIRINOX in the metastatic setting. However, it is sobering that these developments have been achieved with the use of traditional cytotoxics rather than from successes in the more modern fields of molecularly targeted therapies or immunotherapy. This article highlights several promising therapeutic approaches to PDAC currently under clinical evaluation, including immune therapies, molecularly targeted therapies, strategies for stromal depletion, and targeted therapy for genetically selected patients.

Keywords: BRCA; Immunotherapy; KRAS; Novel therapeutics; Pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Stromal targeting.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cancer Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / mortality
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines