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An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
Immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer: New hope or mission impossible?
Jiahong Jiang1, Huaixiang Zhou1, Chao Ni2
1Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China.
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer (PC), one of the most lethal diseases, remains a challenging problem. Novel cancer therapy targeting the immune system has been explored. Although immunotherapy has yielded a favorable response in pre-clinical models, no significant improvement has been confirmed in clinical trials for PC. This may be partly attributable to the unique immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of PC. Studies focusing on combination therapy showed the ability to break the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhance the immune response, which can translate to clinical benefits. Moreover, the application of sequencing techniques and neo-antigen vaccines has achieved promising results in clinical trials, which promote the development of personalized immunotherapy. However, lack of effective biomarkers is another challenge for the realization of personalized immune medicine. Biomarkers are urgently needed to identify subgroup of patients who would benefit from immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss advances in immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, as well as the challenges and prospects for personalized immune medicine.
Insights
Immunotherapy shows promise for pancreatic cancer (PC) but faces challenges due to the tumor microenvironment. Combination therapies and personalized approaches using biomarkers are key to improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal disease with limited treatment options.
- Current immunotherapies have shown limited clinical success in PC, largely due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
- Advances in understanding PC biology are crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
- To discuss the challenges and prospects of personalized immune medicine in PC.
- To highlight the need for effective biomarkers in guiding immunotherapy decisions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent pre-clinical and clinical studies on pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
- Analysis of the role of the tumor microenvironment in PC treatment response.
- Exploration of combination therapy strategies and personalized approaches.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy has shown efficacy in pre-clinical PC models but limited clinical benefit.
- Combination therapies can overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in PC.
- Sequencing techniques and neo-antigen vaccines show promise for personalized immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is critical for effective PC immunotherapy.
- Personalized immunotherapy approaches, guided by biomarkers, hold significant potential for PC treatment.
- Further research is needed to identify predictive biomarkers for patient selection.
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