Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: biological hallmarks, current status, and future perspectives of combined modality treatment approaches

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with poor prognosis and rising incidence. Late detection and a particularly aggressive biology are the major challenges which determine therapeutic failure. In this review, we present the current status and the recent advances in PDAC treatment together with the biological and immunological hallmarks of this cancer entity. On this basis, we discuss new concepts combining distinct treatment modalities in order to improve therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcome - with a specific focus on protocols involving radio(chemo)therapeutic approaches.

• EC
  European Commission

  Award: EU-FP-7: EPC-TM
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: CRC1321 P13, CRC3121 P16, SCHN664/6-1, CRC1321 P16, CRC1321 P14
• EB
  Elitenetzwerk Bayern