Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reprogramming Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to Pluripotency
07:08

Reprogramming Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to Pluripotency

Published on: February 2, 2024

Pancreatic cancer: current and future treatment strategies

K Pliarchopoulou1, D Pectasides

  • 1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Propaedeutic Oncology Section, Attikon University General Hospital, Rimini 1, Haidari, Athens, Greece. kpliarch@otenet.gr

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|March 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and ineffective treatments. Current research explores targeted therapies and novel agents to improve patient outcomes and develop individualized treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Pancreatic cancer exhibits high mortality and short survival rates.
  • Metastatic disease at diagnosis, rapid progression, and limited therapeutic options contribute to poor outcomes.
  • Current chemotherapeutic approaches for advanced pancreatic cancer have largely failed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in pancreatic cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the development of novel chemotherapeutic and molecular-targeted agents.
  • To identify emerging individualized treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent developments in pancreatic cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of ongoing clinical trials for adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies.
  • Focus on molecular pathways and targeted therapy research.

Main Results:

  • Newer chemotherapeutic agents show promise in clinical trials.
  • Molecular-targeted therapies are being investigated for their role in treatment.
  • Efforts are underway to personalize treatment strategies based on molecular profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Despite challenges, advancements in novel agents and targeted therapies offer new hope.
  • Individualized treatment approaches are crucial for improving pancreatic cancer outcomes.
  • Continued research into molecular pathways is essential for therapeutic breakthroughs.

More Related Videos

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

Multianimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Measurements in Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Models09:18

Multianimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Measurements in Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Models

Published on: February 3, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care01:29

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care

The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:30

Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Acute pancreatitis presents a complex medical emergency characterized by rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas, demanding timely diagnosis and management to prevent complications. The condition primarily manifests through severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back. This pain intensifies following the consumption of fatty foods. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and jaundice can vary in intensity but significantly...
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...