Advances in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in China. Most patients are diagnosed at an unresectable or metastatic stage. For those with localized diseases, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to maximize survival rates and optimize outcomes. In recent years, with the increasing adoption of minimally invasive techniques and surgical plans, the quality and safety of pancreatic cancer surgeries have improved. Nowadays, systemic chemotherapy has also developed to affect survival, it is increasingly being used in neoadjuvant therapy Settings, usually in conjunction with radiotherapy. Besides, the increased use of genomic testing in metastatic pancreatic cancer has led to a better understanding of its biology, enabling clinicians to consider potential targeted therapies. Similarly, drugs such as PARP inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and even tumor vaccines have emerged and achieved encouraging results. Not only that, advancements in materials science have also brought new opportunities for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. New materials often influence drug delivery or enhance drug efficacy to function. In conclusion, pancreatic cancer remains a disease with a relatively poor long-term survival rate. However, recent developments have brought about improved results and changed the practices of the past years. This review summarizes the current practices in pancreatic cancer treatment, as well as the milestones and emerging therapies that have brought us to where we are today.