Targeted and immunotherapy strategies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Recent developments and insights

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by late-stage diagnosis, resistance to conventional chemotherapy, and a dismal 5-year survival rate of approximately 12%. These challenges underscore the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in the understanding of PDAC pathophysiology, combined with the successful implementation of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in other cancer types, offer promising avenues for improving PDAC outcomes. This review summarized the latest developments in targeted and immune-based therapies for PDAC. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE) and Web of Science, identifying 36 studies on targeted therapies and 24 studies on immunotherapies relevant to PDAC. Several investigational and approved agents, including KRAS inhibitors (MRTX1133, sotorasib), PARP inhibitors (olaparib), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab), have demonstrated encouraging results, particularly in combination regimens. These findings provide valuable insights into future research and clinical strategies aiming at improving the prognosis of PDAC.