Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and difficult cancers to treat. Recent advances in research focus on early detection, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy:
- .Early Detection: New biomarkers like CA 19-9 and glypican-1 are being studied for earlier diagnosis. Liquid biopsy techniques, analysing blood or pancreatic fluid for genetic mutations, show promise in identifying tumours before symptoms arise.
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs targeting specific genetic mutations, such as KRAS and BRCA mutations, are being tested. KRAS G12C inhibitors (e.g., sotorasib) are showing potential in clinical trials.
- Immunotherapy: Immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab are being explored, particularly in tumours with microsatellite instability (MSI) or high mutational burden. Combining immunotherapy with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, may improve outcomes.
- Neoadjuvant Therapy: Pre-surgical chemotherapy (e.g., FOLFIRINOX) or chemoradiation has become more common, aiming to shrink tumours and increase resectability.
Despite these advancements, pancreatic cancer’s high mortality rate remains unchanged. Early detection and personalized treatments are key areas of focus to improve survival rates.
