Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: molecular drivers and the role of targeted therapy

Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2021 Mar;40(1):355-371. doi: 10.1007/s10555-020-09948-w. Epub 2021 Jan 4.

Abstract

Prognosis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to be poor despite the many efforts channeled to improve its management. Although the mainstay treatment is still traditional chemotherapy, recent advances highlighted a promising potential for targeted therapy in the management of this disease. Those advances emphasize the significance of timely genomic profiling of tumor tissue as well as germline testing of patients to identify potential markers of targeted therapy. While targeted therapy is reserved for a relatively small subset of patients with PDAC, ongoing research is uncovering additional markers, and targeted agents, that will hopefully translate to better outcomes for patients.

Keywords: Cellular; Molecular drivers; Pancreatic cancer; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Prognosis