Current and future intratumoral targeted treatment for pancreatic cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer presents late, leading to poor prognoses with 5-year survival rates of 0.4-4%.
• Surgical resection is feasible for only 10% of patients, with high rates of recurrence and metastasis post-surgery.
• Existing targeted treatments address some molecular pathways, but local spread remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular pathways implicated in pancreatic cancer development and progression.
• To present current and potential interventional treatment options for pancreatic cancer.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of molecular pathways in pancreatic cancer.
• Analysis of interventional therapies, including local treatments, gene therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• Identified key molecular pathways driving pancreatic cancer.
• Summarized current targeted treatments and highlighted the potential of local interventional therapies.

Conclusions:

• Pancreatic cancer's aggressive local spread necessitates exploring novel therapeutic strategies.
• Local interventional therapies may serve as palliative care or adjuncts to existing treatments like gene therapy and chemotherapy/radiotherapy.