Therapy of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: unresectable and borderline patients

Abstract

Systemic chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer is commonly used in practice; however, the optimal strategy for both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy in this disease remains controversial. A particular challenge remains in patients who are considered to be locally advanced and either unresectable or borderline resectable. Offering optimal neoadjuvant therapy to this group of patients may give them the opportunity to have a curative surgical approach. This article will discuss the potential role of neoadjuvant therapy in borderline, potentially resectable pancreatic cancer. It will also discuss areas of interest in potential targets as the biology of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is further explored.

Keywords::

• borderline resectable
• epithelial–mesenchymal transition
• gemcitabine
• neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• pancreatic cancer

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

SMA: Superior mesenteric artery; SMV: Superior mesenteric vein.

Data taken from [4].