Recent advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer

F1000Res. 2020 Feb 21:9:F1000 Faculty Rev-131. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.21981.1. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest solid tumor malignancies and is projected to become a leading cause of cancer-related death in coming years. Improving quality of life and survival amongst these patients will require new ideas and novel therapies in a multidisciplinary approach. This review will cover the most recent advances in the comprehensive treatment of pancreatic cancer and place them within a historical context when necessary. Treatment of all disease stages will be discussed, but the focus is on systemic therapy as novel drugs and new treatment combinations enter the clinic. This will include more aggressive chemotherapy in earlier disease stages, approved uses for immunotherapy, and targetable mutations. In addition, negative trials of importance and controversial topics will be noted.

Keywords: pancreatic cancer; review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Quality of Life

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.