Exosomes: Emerging Modulators of Pancreatic Cancer Drug Resistance

Pancreatic cancer (PaC) is one of the most lethal tumors worldwide, difficult to diagnose, and with inadequate therapeutical chances. The most used therapy is gemcitabine, alone or in combination with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel), and the multidrug FOLFIRINOX. Unfortunately, PaC develops resistance early, thus reducing the already poor life expectancy of patients. The mechanisms responsible for drug resistance are not fully elucidated, and exosomes seem to be actively involved in this phenomenon, thanks to their ability to transfer molecules regulating this process from drug-resistant to drug-sensitive PaC cells. These extracellular vesicles are released by both normal and cancer cells and seem to be essential mediators of intercellular communications, especially in cancer, where they are secreted at very high numbers. This review illustrates the role of exosomes in PaC drug resistance. This manuscript first provides an overview of the pharmacological approaches used in PaC and, in the last part, focuses on the mechanisms exploited by the exosomes released by cancer cells to induce drug resistance.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Where Do We Go?

The incidence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been on the rise in recent years; however, its clinical diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. Although surgical resection remains the only chance for long-term patient survival, the likelihood of initial resectability is no higher than 20%. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in PDAC aims to transform the proportion of inoperable PDACs into operable cases and reduce the likelihood of recurrence to improve overall survival. Ongoing phase 3 clinical trial aims to validate the role of NAT in PDAC therapy, including prolongation of survival, increased R0 resection, and a higher proportion of negative lymph nodes. Controversies surrounding the role of NAT in PDAC treatment include applicability to different stages of PDAC, chemotherapy regimens, radiation, duration of treatment, and assessment of effect. This review aims to summarize the current progress and controversies of NAT in PDAC.

Treatment optimization of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (Review)

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumor types, being the sixth leading cause of mortality worldwide and the fourth in Europe. Globally, it has a mortality/incidence ratio of 98%, and the 5‑year survival rate in Europe is only 3%. Although risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption and genetic factors, have been identified, the causes of PDAC remain elusive. Additionally, the only curative treatment for PDAC is surgery with negative margins. However, upon diagnosis, ~30% of the patients already present with locally advanced disease. In these cases, a multidisciplinary approach is required to improve disease‑related symptoms and prolong patient survival. In the present article, a comprehensive review of PDAC epidemiology, physiology and treatment is provided. Moreover, guidelines on patient treatment are suggested. Among the different available therapeutic options for the treatment of advanced PDAC, results are modest, most likely due to the complexity of the disease, and so the prognostic remains poor. Molecular approaches based on multi‑omics research are promising and will contribute to groundbreaking personalized medicine. Thus, economic investment that promotes research of pancreatic cancer will be critical to the development of more efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: Certainties and controversies

Borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently a well-recognized entity, characterized by some specific anatomic, biological and conditional features: It includes patients with a stage of disease intermediate between the resectable and the locally advanced ones. The term BR identifies a tumour with an aggressive biological behaviour, on which a neoadjuvant approach instead of an upfront surgery one should be preferred, in order to obtain a radical resection (R0) and to avoid an early recurrence after surgery. Even if during the last decades several studies on this topic have been published, some aspects of BR-PDAC still represent a matter of debate. The aim of this review is to critically analyse the available literature on this topic, particularly focusing on: The problem of the heterogeneity of definition of BR-PDAC adopted, leading to a misinterpretation of published data; its current management (neoadjuvant vs upfront surgery); which neoadjuvant regimen should be preferably adopted; the problem of radiological restaging and the determination of resectability after neoadjuvant therapy; the post-operative outcomes after surgery; and the role and efficacy of adjuvant treatment for resected patients that already underwent neoadjuvant therapy.

Circulating biomarkers and outcomes from a randomised phase 2 trial of gemcitabine versus capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

The Phase 2 SCALOP trial compared gemcitabine with capecitabine-based consolidation chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

METHODS

Thirty-five systematically identified circulating biomarkers were analysed in plasma samples from 60 patients enroled in SCALOP. Each was measured in triplicate at baseline (prior to three cycles of gemcitabine-capecitabine induction chemotherapy) and, for a subset, prior to CRT. Association with overall survival (OS) was determined using univariable Cox regression and optimal thresholds delineating low to high values identified using time-dependent ROC curves. Independence from known prognostic factors was assessed using Spearman correlation and the Wilcoxon rank sum test prior to multivariable Cox regression modelling including independent biomarkers and known prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Baseline circulating levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) were significantly associated with OS, independent of other clinicopathological characteristics. Patients with low circulating CCL5 (CCL5low) had a median OS of 18.5 (95% CI 11.76-21.32) months compared to 11.3 (95% CI 9.86-15.51) months in CCL5high; hazard ratio 1.95 (95% CI 1.04-8.65; p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

CCL5 is an independent prognostic biomarker in LAPC. Given the known role of CCL5 in tumour invasion, metastasis and the induction of an immunosuppressive micro-environment, targeting of CCL5-mediated pathways may offer therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The SCALOP trial was registered with ISRCTN, number 96169987 (registered 29 May 2008).

Laser Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer with Immunostimulating Interstitial Laser Thermotherapy Protocol: Safety and Feasibility Results From Two Phase 2a Studies

PURPOSE

Ablative techniques have emerged as new potential therapeutic options for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). We explored the safety and feasibility of using TRANBERG|Thermal Therapy System (Clinical Laserthermia Systems AB, Lund, Sweden) in feedback mode for immunostimulating Interstitial Laser Thermotherapy (imILT) protocol, the newest ablative technique introduced for the treatment of LAPC.

METHODS

The safety and feasibility results after the use of imILT protocol treatment in 15 patients of a prospective series of postsystemic therapy LAPC in two high-volume European institutions, the General and Pancreatic Unit of the Pancreas Institute, of the University of Verona, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Oncology of the Institut Paoli-Calmettes of Marseille, France, were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 66 ± 5 years, with a mean tumor size of 34.6 (±8) mm. The median number of cycles of pre-imILT chemotherapy was 6 (6-12). The procedure was performed in 13 of 15 (86.6%) cases; indeed, in two cases, the procedure was not performed; in one, the procedure was considered technically demanding; in the other, liver metastases were found intraoperatively. In all treated cases, the procedure was completed. Three late pancreatic fistulas developed over four overall adverse events (26.6%) and were attributed to imILT. Mortality was nil. A learning curve is necessary to interpret and manage the laser parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Safety, feasibility, and device handling outcomes of using TRANBERG|Thermal Therapy System with temperature probes in feedback mode and imILT protocol on LAPC were not satisfactory. The metastatic setting may be appropriate to evaluate the hypothetic abscopal effect.#NCT02702986 and #NCT02973217.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly fatal disease with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 10% in the USA, and it is becoming an increasingly common cause of cancer mortality. Risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include family history, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tobacco use. Patients typically present with advanced disease due to lack of or vague symptoms when the cancer is still localised. High quality computed tomography with intravenous contrast using a dual phase pancreatic protocol is typically the best method to detect a pancreatic tumour and to determine surgical resectability. Endoscopic ultrasound is an increasingly used complementary staging modality which also allows for diagnostic confirmation when combined with fine needle aspiration. Patients with pancreatic cancer are often divided into one of four categories based on extent of disease: resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced, and metastatic; patient condition is also an important consideration. Surgical resection represents the only chance for cure, and advancements in adjuvant chemotherapy have improved long-term outcomes in these patients. Systemic chemotherapy combinations including FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid [leucovorin], irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel remain the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced disease. Data on the benefit of PARP inhibition as maintenance therapy in patients with germline BRCA1 or BRACA2 mutations might prove to be a harbinger of advancement in targeted therapy. Additional research efforts are focusing on modulating the pancreatic tumour microenvironment to enhance the efficacy of the immunotherapeutic strategies.

Treatment of Rare and Aggressive Pancreatic Carcinosarcoma

A 42-year-old African American woman presented with 4 days of worsening midepigastric pain that radiated to her back. Computed tomography confirmed a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and revealed a mass within the distal body and tail of the pancreas. After an endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration yielding atypical cells suspicious for adenocarcinoma, the patient underwent an en bloc resection of the intra-abdominal mass with subtotal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, left colectomy, and left partial adrenalectomy. Histopathologic examination findings, in addition to immunohistochemical staining, revealed a diagnosis of pancreatic carcinosarcoma. Postoperatively, the patient has undergone 20 cycles of chemotherapy and has been transitioned to comfort measures at 16 months postoperatively because of progressive disease.

Neoadjuvant Treatment in Pancreatic Cancer

Thanks to the development of modern chemotherapeutic regimens, survival after surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has improved and pancreatologists worldwide agree that the treatment of PDAC demands a multidisciplinary approach. Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) plays a major role in the treatment of PDAC since only about 20% of patients are considered resectable at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, increasing data demonstrating the benefits of NAT for borderline resectable/locally advanced PDAC are driving a shift from up-front surgery to NAT in the multidisciplinary treatment of even resectable PDAC. Our understanding of the role of NAT in PDAC has evolved from tumor shrinkage to controlling potential micrometastases and selecting patients who may benefit from radical resection. The present review gives an overview on the current literature of NAT concepts for BR/LA PDAC and resectable PDAC.

Are We Sure that Adjuvant Chemotherapy is the Best Approach for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer? Are We in the Era of Neoadjuvant Treatment? A Review of Current Literature

The outcome of pancreatic cancer is poor, with a 9% 5-year survival rate. Current treatment recommendations in the 10%–20% of patients who present with resectable disease support upfront resection followed by adjuvant therapy. Until now, only early complete surgical (R0) resection and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with either FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) or nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine have been shown to prolong the survival. However, up to 30% of patients do not receive adjuvant therapy because of the development of early recurrence, postoperative complications, comorbidities, and reduced performance status. The aims of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are to identify rapidly progressing patients to avoid futile surgery, eliminate micrometastases, increase the feasibility of R0 resection, and ensure the completion of multimodal treatment. Neoadjuvant treatments are effective, but there is no consensus on their use in resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC) because of its lack of a survival benefit over adjuvant therapy. In this review, we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the two therapeutic approaches in RPC. We need studies that compare the two approaches and can identify the appropriate sequence of adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant treatment and surgery.

Paradigm Shifting of Systemic Chemotherapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer in Japan

Systemic chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, to improve the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. Unresectable pancreatic cancer can be classified into three categories: metastatic, locally advanced, and hereditary pancreatic cancers. Furthermore, the second-line chemotherapy is required to prolong the survival. The combined regimens of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GEM plus nab-PTX) have been recognized as the standard of care for advanced pancreatic cancer. However, the consensus of selection of the first-line chemotherapy still remains. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between FOLFIRINOX and GEM plus nab-PTX are ongoing for locally advanced and metastatic disease in Japan, respectively. Hereditary pancreatic cancer, especially associated with BRCA mutations, is responsive to platinum-containing regimens and/or poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. It is becoming more important to examine the presence/absence of BRCA mutations to select the appropriate treatment strategy for individual patients. Although some S-1-based regimens have been investigated in the second-line treatment after GEM-based chemotherapy in Japan, no regime demonstrated survival benefit. Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus FF has been established as the standard of care in the second-line treatment in a global phase III trial (NAPOLI-1). A randomized phase II trial comparing FF plus nal-IRI with FF alone was also conducted in Japan to examine the efficacy and safety of the FF plus nal-IRI in Japanese patients.

Induction Therapy in Localized Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) with localized stage includes resectable (RPC), borderline resectable (BRPC), or locally advanced unresectable (LAPC). Standard of care for RPC is adjuvant chemotherapy. There are no prospective randomized trials for best treatment of BRPC and LAPC. We evaluate the impact of induction chemotherapy on localized PDAC.

METHODS

Charts of PDAC patients treated at Emory University between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 409 localized PDACs were identified. Resectability was prospectively determined at a multidisciplinary tumor conference. Median age was 67 years (range, 30-92 years), 49% were male, 66% were white, 171 had RPC, 131 had BRPC, and 107 had LAPC. Median OSs for RPC, BRPC, and LAPC were 19.5, 16.1, and 12.7 months, respectively. Type of chemotherapy and age were predictors of OS. Induction chemotherapy was used in 106 with BRPC (81%) and 74 with RPC (56.5%); patients with BRPC who received combination chemotherapy and resection had a median OS of 31.5 compared with 19.5 months in patients with RPC (P = 0.0049). Patients with LAPC had a median OS of 12.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with BRPC who undergo resection after induction treatment, the OS was significantly better than in patients with RPC. Neoadjuvant treatment should be considered for all localized PDACs.

Neoadjuvant Treatment in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC) Patients with FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine NabPaclitaxel: A Single-Center Experience and a Literature Review

The optimal therapeutic strategy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients (LAPC) has not yet been established. Our aim is to evaluate how surgery after neoadjuvant treatment with either FOLFIRINOX (FFN) or Gemcitabine-NabPaclitaxel (GemNab) affects the clinical outcome in these patients. LAPC patients treated at our institution were retrospectively analysed to reach this goal. The group characteristics were similar: 35 patients were treated with the FOLFIRINOX regimen and 21 patients with Gemcitabine Nab-Paclitaxel. The number of patients undergoing surgery was 14 in the FFN group (40%) and six in the GemNab group (28.6%). The median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was 77.10 weeks in the FFN group and 58.65 weeks in the Gem Nab group (p = 0.625), while the median PFS in the unresected group was 49.4 weeks in the FFN group and 30.9 in the GemNab group (p = 0.0029, 95% CI 0.138-0.862, HR 0.345). The overall survival (OS) in the resected population needs a longer follow up to be completely assessed, while the median overall survival (mOS) in the FFN group was 72.10 weeks and 53.30 weeks for the GemNab group (p = 0.06) in the unresected population. Surgery is a valuable option for LAPC patients and it is able to induce a relevant survival advantage. FOLFIRINOX and Gem-NabPaclitaxel should be offered as first options to pancreatic cancer patients in the locally advanced setting.

Early Tumor Shrinkage and Depth of Response Evaluation in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Treated with First Line Chemotherapy: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study

Early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DoR) predict favorable outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer. We aim to evaluate their prognostic role in metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) patients treated with first-line modified-FOLFIRINOX (FOLFOXIRI) or Gemcitabine + Nab-paclitaxel (GemNab). Hence, 138 patients were tested for ETS, defined as a ≥20% reduction in the sum of target lesions’ longest diameters (SLD) after 6–8 weeks from baseline, and DoR, i.e., the maximum percentage shrinkage in the SLD from baseline. Association of ETS and DoR with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed. ETS was reached in 49 patients (39.5% in the FOLFOXIRI, 29.8% in the GemNab group; p = 0.280). In the overall population, ETS was significantly associated with better PFS (8.0 vs. 4.8 months, p < 0.001) and OS (13.2 vs. 9.7 months, p = 0.001). Median DoR was −27.5% (−29.4% with FOLFOXIRI and −21.4% with GemNab, p = 0.016): DoR was significantly associated with better PFS (9.0 vs. 6.7 months, p < 0.001) and OS (14.3 vs. 11.1 months, p = 0.031). Multivariate analysis confirmed both ETS and DoR are independently associated with PFS and OS. In conclusion, our study added evidence on the role of ETS and DoR in the prediction of outcome of PC patients treated with first-line combination chemotherapy.

Optimizing the management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with a focus on induction chemotherapy: Expert opinion based on a review of current evidence

Surgical resection of pancreatic cancer offers a chance of cure, but currently only 15-20% of patients are diagnosed with resectable disease, while 30-40% are diagnosed with non-metastatic, unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Treatment for LAPC usually involves systemic chemotherapy, with the aim of controlling disease progression, reducing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. In a small proportion of patients with LAPC, primary chemotherapy may successfully convert unresectable tumours to resectable tumours. In this setting, primary chemotherapy is termed 'induction therapy' rather than 'neoadjuvant'. There is currently a lack of data from randomized studies to thoroughly evaluate the benefits of induction chemotherapy in LAPC, but Phase II and retrospective data have shown improved survival and high R0 resection rates. New chemotherapy regimens such as nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX have demonstrated improvement in overall survival for metastatic disease and shown promise as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable and borderline resectable disease. Prospective trials are underway to evaluate these regimens further as induction therapy in LAPC and preliminary data indicate a beneficial effect of FOLFIRINOX in this setting. Further research into optimal induction schedules is needed, as well as guidance on the patients who are most suitable for induction therapy. In this expert opinion article, a panel of surgeons, medical oncologists and gastrointestinal oncologists review the available evidence on management strategies for LAPC and provide their recommendations for patient care, with a particular focus on the use of induction chemotherapy.

Comparative Effectiveness of Gemcitabine plus Nab-Paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX in the First-Line Setting of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (GEM-NAB) and the combination of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX) are valid first-line options for advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). However, no randomized trials comparing the two schemes have been performed. This meta-analysis aims to compare GEM-NAB and FOLFIRINOX in terms of safety and effectiveness, taking into account data from real-life studies on mPC. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library up to November 2018 to identify retrospective or cohort studies on mPC comparing GEM-NAB and FOLFIRINOX. We included 16 retrospective studies, including 3813 patients (2123 treated with GEM-NAB and 1690 treated with FOLFIRINOX). Despite a median weighted overall survival (OS) difference in favor of FOLFIRINOX (mean difference: 1.15, 95% confidence interval CI 0.08⁻2.22, p = 0.03), in whole population OS was similar (hazard ratio (HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.84⁻1.16; p = 0.9). PFS was also not different between the two arms (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.71⁻1.1; p = 0.26). The overall response rate was similar (25 vs. 24% with GEM-NAB and FOLFIRINOX). Among grade 3⁻4 toxicities, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and nausea were lower with GEM-NAB, while neurotoxicity and anemia were lower with FOLFIRINOX. In conclusion, despite a numerically longer median OS with FOLFIRINOX as compared to GEM-NAB, the overall risk of death and progression were similar. Their toxicity was different with less nausea, neutropenia, and febrile neutropenia with GEM-NAB, as compared to less neurotoxicity and anemia with FOLFIRINOX. Therefore, analysis of non-randomized "real world" studies to date has not provided evidence of a major benefit of one regimen over the other.

First-Line Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel Chemotherapy for Localized Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Preoperative chemotherapy provides early treatment of micro-metastases and guaranteed delivery of all components of multimodality therapy for localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). For locally advanced (LA) PDAC, induction chemotherapy is the standard of care. This study evaluated the use of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Gem/nab-P) as first-line therapy for localized PDAC.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic features, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated for 99 patients with localized PDAC. The patients were staged using previously published criteria as follows: potentially resectable (PR), borderline type A (BR-A) (anatomy amenable to vascular resection), BR-B (biology suspicious for metastatic disease including high CA19-9), BR-C (comorbidities requiring medical optimization), and LA.

RESULTS

The 99 patients (PR/BR/LA: 45/14/40) were treated with Gem/nab-P. Clinical staging showed that 20 patients had PR or BR-A disease, whereas 39 patients had BR-B or BR-C disease. The BR-B+C cases included one or more of the following: age of 80 years or older (13%), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 2 or more (13%), moderate to severe comorbidities (55%), CA19-9 of 1000 or higher (28%), and suspicion for metastases (21%). The majority of the patients received biweekly Gem/nab-P dosing, which was well tolerated. Pancreatectomy was performed for 12 (60%) of 20 patients with PR+BR-A, 2 (5%) of 39 patients with BR-B+C, and 1 (3%) of 40 patients with LA disease. During a median follow-up period of 26 months, the median overall survival (OS) period was 18 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.6-20.5 months) for all the patients, 17 months (95% CI, 14.6-19.5 months) for the unresected patients, and not reached for the resected patients (p = 0.028 for resected vs unresected patients).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of patients with radiographically resectable PDAC albeit aggressive biology (BR-B), medically inoperable conditions (BR-C), or both received biweekly first-line Gem/nab-P. The resection rates were lower for the BR-B/BR-C patients than for the PR/BR-A patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-1.00; p = 0.05).

Ablation treatments in unresectable pancreatic cancer

Ablation treatments have been increasingly applied as an alternative treatment for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The goal of LAPC therapy is surgical resection with negative margins (R0); however, that can be achieved only in a minority of patients and only following neoadjuvant treatment. Ablation might be useful for those patients with unresectable LAPC that do not progress towards metastatic stage and do not experience a true downstaging. Indeed, some LAPC that tend to grow locally, might be the subgroup of tumors that could benefit from ablation. Experience is necessary to select patients and the technique to adopt, since serious or fatal complications can occur. This review aims to discuss the role of ablation treatments in LAPC, with a unique focus on radiofrequency ablation and irreversible electroporation.

Currently available first-line drug therapies for treating pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the 9th most common cancer in the United States and the 4th most common cause of cancer-related death given its poor prognosis.

AREAS COVERED

The authors have performed a literature search for pertinent published clinical trials, ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials, and current treatment guidelines using PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and NCCN, ASCO, ESMO, and JPS websites. The review itself discusses landmark studies and ongoing research into the chemotherapy regimens recommended by each oncologic society. The authors also examine drugs that were promising but failed in Phase 3 trials and those currently being investigated. Finally, the authors provide their expert opinion on the subject and provide their future perspectives.

EXPERT OPINION

While advances in chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer have been limited in comparison to other cancers, there have been improvements in survival. Combination therapy and a goal of R0 resection are key elements to extend life. Novel agents directed at the unique properties of pancreatic cancer are promising.

[Role of radiation therapy in the management of pancreatic cancer]

At diagnosis, about 15% of patients with pancreatic cancer present with a resectable tumour, 50% have a metastatic tumour, and 25% a locally advanced tumor (non-metastatic but unresectable due to vascular invasion) or borderline resectable. Despite the technical progress made in the field of radiation therapy and the improvement of the efficacy of chemotherapy, the prognosis of these patients remains very poor. Recently, the role of radiation therapy in the management of pancreatic cancer has been much debated. This review aims to evaluate the role of radiation therapy for these patients.