Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
Neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer: what is the true oncological benefit?
Lei Ren1,2, Carmen Mota Reyes1, Helmut Friess1,3,4
1Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Neoadjuvant therapies (neoTx) have revolutionized the treatment of borderline resectable (BR) and locally advanced (LA) pancreatic cancer (PCa) by significantly increasing the rate of R0 resections, which remains the only curative strategy for these patients. However, there is still room for improvement of neoTx in PCa.
Purpose:
Here, we aimed to critically analyze the benefits of neoTx in LA and BR PCa and its potential use on patients with resectable PCa. We also explored the feasibility of arterial resection (AR) to increase surgical radicality and the incorporation of immunotherapy to optimize neoadjuvant approaches in PCa.
Conclusion:
For early stage, i.e., resectable, PCa, there is not enough scientific evidence for routinely recommending neoTx. For LA and BR PCa, optimization of neoadjuvant therapy necessitates more sophisticated complex surgical resections, machine learning and radiomic approaches, integration of immunotherapy due to the high antigen load, standardized histopathological assessment, and improved multidisciplinary communication.
