Neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy.
• Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is emerging as a key strategy for various stages of pancreatic cancer.
• Guidelines consider multimodal treatment the standard for pancreatic cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of neoadjuvant treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
• To analyze the current role and evidence for NAT in pancreatic cancer management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase databases.
• Inclusion of studies published up to July 2021 reporting on neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic carcinoma.
• Analysis of treatment response and outcomes associated with NAT.

Main Results:

• NAT shows a significant role in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, improving R0 resection rates and survival.
• NAT can convert locally advanced pancreatic cancer to a resectable state, yielding better results than palliative care.
• Ongoing trials are evaluating NAT's efficacy in resectable pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions:

• Neoadjuvant therapy is vital for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, enhancing surgical outcomes.
• NAT offers a viable option for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, potentially enabling resection.
• The role of NAT in resectable pancreatic cancer requires further investigation through clinical trials.