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Published on: October 4, 2022
Biological approaches to therapy of pancreatic cancer
Han Hsi Wong1, Nicholas R Lemoine
1Centre for Molecular Oncology and Imaging, Institute of Cancer, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK. han-hsi.wong@cancer.org.uk
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease and notoriously difficult to treat. Only a small proportion is curative by surgical resection, whilst standard chemotherapy for patients with advanced disease has only modest effect with substantial toxicity. Clearly there is a need for the continual development of novel therapeutic agents to improve the current situation. Improvement of our understanding of the disease has generated a large number of studies on biological approaches targeting the molecular abnormalities of pancreatic cancer, including gene therapy and signal transduction inhibition, antiangiogenic and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition, oncolytic viral therapy and immunotherapy. This article provides a review of these approaches, both investigated in the laboratories and in subsequent clinical trials.
Insights
Pancreatic cancer is a difficult disease to treat. Novel biological therapies, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, and oncolytic viruses, are being investigated to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy with limited effective treatment options.
- Current therapies like surgery and chemotherapy offer modest benefits and significant toxicity for advanced cases.
- There is a critical need for innovative therapeutic strategies to improve survival and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging biological approaches for pancreatic cancer treatment.
- To summarize laboratory and clinical trial findings for novel therapeutic agents.
- To highlight advancements in targeting molecular abnormalities in pancreatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies and clinical trials.
- Analysis of various biological therapeutic strategies.
- Categorization of approaches including gene therapy, signal transduction inhibition, antiangiogenesis, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition, oncolytic viral therapy, and immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Multiple biological approaches show promise in targeting pancreatic cancer's molecular pathways.
- Early-stage research and clinical trials are exploring gene therapy, immunotherapy, and viral therapies.
- Inhibition of angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinases are also under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Novel biological therapies offer potential for improved pancreatic cancer treatment.
- Continued research and clinical evaluation are essential to translate these approaches into effective therapies.
- Targeting molecular abnormalities represents a promising frontier in combating pancreatic cancer.
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