Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and a poor overall prognosis. Advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this disease have opened pathways for innov...

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Main Authors: Wojciech Firlej, Michał Nowak, Barbara Ufnalska, Anna Konarska, Anna Machowiak, Artur Fabijański, Mateusz Janik, Justyna Lisiecka, Joanna Rychlewska-Duda, Adriana Dukacz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazimierz Wielki University 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Education, Health and Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58420
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author Wojciech Firlej
Michał Nowak
Barbara Ufnalska
Anna Konarska
Anna Machowiak
Artur Fabijański
Mateusz Janik
Justyna Lisiecka
Joanna Rychlewska-Duda
Adriana Dukacz
author_facet Wojciech Firlej
Michał Nowak
Barbara Ufnalska
Anna Konarska
Anna Machowiak
Artur Fabijański
Mateusz Janik
Justyna Lisiecka
Joanna Rychlewska-Duda
Adriana Dukacz
author_sort Wojciech Firlej
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and a poor overall prognosis. Advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this disease have opened pathways for innovative therapeutic approaches. Purpose: This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of pancreatic cancer, focusing on its pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and emerging therapeutic strategies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and novel drug delivery systems. Material and methods: The literature review was performed by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "pancreatic cancer," "immunotherapy," "chemotherapy," and "diagnosis." Only articles published from 2012 onward were included in the analysis. Results: The review highlights significant progress in identifying genetic mutations, such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4, which drive pancreatic tumorigenesis. Diagnostic advancements, including liquid biopsies and molecular imaging, offer potential for earlier detection. Therapeutic innovations discussed include precision medicine approaches, such as inhibitors targeting KRAS mutations, immune checkpoint blockade therapies, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Early clinical trials show promise in improving response rates and survival outcomes, but challenges in resistance mechanisms and delivery efficiency persist. Conclusion: While pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge, recent advancements provide hope for improved management and outcomes. Continued multidisciplinary research and clinical trials are essential to translate these findings into effective standard-of-care treatments. This review underscores the importance of integrating novel therapies with conventional approaches to optimize patient outcomes.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Kazimierz Wielki University
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spelling doaj-art-b7bf2c19b5e94c21babf82050e6d7a5d2025-08-20T03:16:19ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-03-017910.12775/JEHS.2025.79.58420Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: ReviewWojciech Firlej0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0813-2617Michał Nowak 1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0087-4387Barbara Ufnalska 2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6334-1812Anna Konarska 3https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0142-6970Anna Machowiak 4https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3868-2480Artur Fabijański 5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8639-6154Mateusz Janik 6https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4679-6935Justyna Lisiecka 7https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9545-910XJoanna Rychlewska-Duda 8https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8992-1078Adriana Dukacz 9https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4428-8789Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, PolandPoznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, PolandSpecialist Mother and Child Healthcare Facility, Poland ul. Wrzoska 1, 60-663 Poznań, Poland F.Raszeja's Municipal Hospital, Poland ul. Adama Mickiewicza 2, 60-834 Poznań, PolandSpecialist Mother and Child Healthcare Facility, Poland ul. Wrzoska 1, 60-663 Poznań, Poland Specialist Mother and Child Healthcare Facility, Poland ul. Wrzoska 1, 60-663 Poznań, Poland HCP Medical Center, Poland 28 czerwca 1956 r. 194, 66-446 Poznań, PolandPromienista Primary Healthcare Center, Poland ul. Promienista 89, 60-141 Poznań, PolandCRO-MED Medical and Physiotherapy Clinic, Poland Osiedle Edwarda Raczyńskiego 2/23, 62-020 Swarzędz, PolandHelidor Święcicki Clinical Hospital, Poland ul. Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznań, Poland Introduction: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and a poor overall prognosis. Advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this disease have opened pathways for innovative therapeutic approaches. Purpose: This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of pancreatic cancer, focusing on its pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and emerging therapeutic strategies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and novel drug delivery systems. Material and methods: The literature review was performed by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "pancreatic cancer," "immunotherapy," "chemotherapy," and "diagnosis." Only articles published from 2012 onward were included in the analysis. Results: The review highlights significant progress in identifying genetic mutations, such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4, which drive pancreatic tumorigenesis. Diagnostic advancements, including liquid biopsies and molecular imaging, offer potential for earlier detection. Therapeutic innovations discussed include precision medicine approaches, such as inhibitors targeting KRAS mutations, immune checkpoint blockade therapies, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Early clinical trials show promise in improving response rates and survival outcomes, but challenges in resistance mechanisms and delivery efficiency persist. Conclusion: While pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge, recent advancements provide hope for improved management and outcomes. Continued multidisciplinary research and clinical trials are essential to translate these findings into effective standard-of-care treatments. This review underscores the importance of integrating novel therapies with conventional approaches to optimize patient outcomes. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58420PDACchemotherapyimmunotherapyKRAS mutationsearly diagnosis
spellingShingle Wojciech Firlej
Michał Nowak
Barbara Ufnalska
Anna Konarska
Anna Machowiak
Artur Fabijański
Mateusz Janik
Justyna Lisiecka
Joanna Rychlewska-Duda
Adriana Dukacz
Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
PDAC
chemotherapy
immunotherapy
KRAS mutations
early diagnosis
title Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
title_full Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
title_fullStr Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
title_full_unstemmed Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
title_short Current Trends and Future Directions in Pancreatic Cancer Management: Review
title_sort current trends and future directions in pancreatic cancer management review
topic PDAC
chemotherapy
immunotherapy
KRAS mutations
early diagnosis
url https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58420
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