Current treatment landscape and emerging therapies for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains a disease that is difficult to treat due to a typically late presentation, relatively high resistance to chemotherapy, and lack of effective targeted therapies. The standard of care relies on cytotoxic chemotherapy, primarily FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based regimens. Dose modifications and/or the use of alternative combinations can reduce adverse effects, but these regimens remain highly toxic. As a result, long-term survival is low for patients with advanced or metastatic disease. There is a great need for novel anticancer agents that provide efficacy with minimal toxicity. Currently, inhibitors of immune tolerance and immune checkpoint inhibitors; PARP inhibitors; novel cytotoxic chemotherapies, such as trifluridine/tipiracil; and modifiers of the tumor microenvironment, such as pegylated hyaluronidase, are in clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This activity will review the current treatment landscape and preview emerging therapies for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.