Current and Emerging Targeting Strategies for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

With a dismal 5-year survival rate of only 8%, pancreatic cancer still remains a very lethal disease. As with most cancers, pancreatic cancer is treated with different combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs which result in side effects and potential drug resistance leading in many cases to the unfortunate demise of the patient. Over recent years, a number of therapies have been developed against numerous molecular targets in cancers. Kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies have been shown to target numerous kinases, growth factor receptors, and cell signaling pathways. This can lead to effects on tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and the microenvironment. Most recent findings are very promising as they relate to the use of immunotherapy to treat certain cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines are currently being investigated. In this review, we will highlight some novel molecular targeted strategies that are being used or considered as potential therapeutics to treat patients with pancreatic cancer.