J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 118(6): 634-638, 2017

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Feature topic

MOLECULAR-TARGETED THERAPY FOR MALIGNANT PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS

The current status and future perspectives of molecular-targeted therapy for malignant pancreatic neoplasms are described. Erlotinib is the only molecular targeted agent for pancreatic cancer and is indicated for unresectable metastatic disease. Although various cytotoxic agents have improved the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer, including postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, there has been little impact of molecular-targeted therapy on surgical outcomes in pancreatic cancer.
Everolimus and sunitinib are molecular-targeted agents recommended in the treatment of G1 or G2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). Phase Ⅲ studies showed a significant increase in progression-free survival rates in patients with unresectable PNETs who received evelorimus or sunitimib, and both agents have been widely used worldwide. However, there are few data on the combined use of these agents with surgery for PNETs. Effective molecular-targeted agents are now required for pancreatic cancer treatment. In the near future, progress in precision medicine in combination with surgery is expected in the field of malignant pancreatic neoplasms.

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