Korean J Gastroenterol.  2015 Sep;66(3):150-153. 10.4166/kjg.2015.66.3.150.

Recent Advances in Palliative Chemotherapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

• Ryu JK

• KMID: 2373330
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2015.66.3.150

Abstract

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the fatalist malignancies. A large proportion of patients are diagnosed with unresectable stage pancreatic cancer at the time of presentation. Gemcitabine is a standard chemotherapeutic agent since 1997, but survival benefit is not satisfactory. Recent clinical study proved that several new combination chemotherapy regimens are superior to gemcitabine single chemotherapy and extended overall survival. However, its prognosis still remains grim. Current research is taking a multidirectional approach in the hope of developing more effective treatments. This article reviews the major clinical trial data that is the basis for the current chemotherapy regimens used as first- and second-line treatments for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This article also reviews the current ongoing clinical trials, which include the use of molecular targeting agents and immune therapies.

Keyword

Pancreatic neoplasms; Drug therapy

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma/*drug therapy/pathology
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use
Humans
Immunotherapy
Pancreatic Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Antineoplastic Agents
Deoxycytidine
Protein Kinase Inhibitors