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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Immunophenotyping of Orthotopic Homograft Syngeneic of Murine Primary KPC Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 9, 2018
PD-1/PD-L1 and immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Mengyu Feng1, Guangbing Xiong2, Zhe Cao1
1Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
Abstract:
Therapy that targets programmed death 1 or programmed death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1), which are known as immune checkpoints, has been recently rapidly developing as oncotherapy for various carcinomas. However, this therapy has a poor effect on the treatment of pancreatic cancer with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade monotherapy. In this review, the development and limitations of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy in pancreatic cancer are discussed. We then consider the underlying mechanism of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy failure, combination strategies overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and the prospect of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 for the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death 1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) show limited efficacy in pancreatic cancer monotherapy. This review explores resistance mechanisms and combination strategies for effective pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 are emerging as a significant oncotherapy for various carcinomas.
- However, their effectiveness in pancreatic cancer treatment via monotherapy remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and limitations of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
- To explore the mechanisms behind the failure of this monotherapy.
- To discuss combination strategies to overcome resistance and enhance immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in pancreatic cancer.
- Analysis of underlying mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.
- Evaluation of combination strategies and future prospects.
Main Results:
- PD-1/PD-L1 blockade monotherapy demonstrates poor efficacy in pancreatic cancer.
- Specific resistance mechanisms contribute to treatment failure.
- Combination strategies show potential for overcoming resistance.
Conclusions:
- Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in pancreatic cancer requires strategies beyond monotherapy.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing effective combination immunotherapies.
- Further research into combination therapies holds promise for improving pancreatic cancer treatment outcomes.
