Antibody therapy in pancreatic cancer: mAb-ye we're onto something?

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2021 Aug;1876(1):188557. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188557. Epub 2021 May 1.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains an extremely deadly disease, with little improvement seen in treatment or outcomes over the last 40 years. Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy is one area that has been explored in attempts to tackle this disease. This review examines antibodies that have undergone clinical evaluation in pancreatic cancer. These antibodies target a wide variety of molecules, including tumour cell surface, stromal, immune and embryonic pathway targets. We discuss the therapeutic utility of these therapies both as monotherapeutics and in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy. While antibody therapy for pancreatic cancer has yet to yield significant success, lessons learned from research thus far highlights future directions that may help overcome observed hurdles to yield clinically efficacious results.

Keywords: Monoclonal antibody; Oncology; Pancreatic cancer; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy* / adverse effects
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological