Therapeutic resistance of pancreatic cancer: Roadmap to its reversal

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2021 Jan;1875(1):188461. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188461. Epub 2020 Nov 4.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with limited opportunity for resectable surgery as the first choice for cure due to its late diagnosis and early metastasis. The desmoplastic stroma and cellular genetic or epigenetic alterations of pancreatic cancer impose physical and biological barriers to effective therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Here, we review the current therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer, and underlying mechanisms and potential reversal of therapeutic resistance, a hallmark of this deadly disease.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Immunotherapy; Pancreatic cancer; Radiotherapy; Therapeutic resistance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics