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 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.