Advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer

Abstract Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Despite the success of immunotherapy and targeted therapies for other cancers, these approaches have not yet transformed the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer. The unique tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic cancer, characterized by dense fibrotic stroma and immunosuppressive myeloid cells, poses significant barriers to effective immunotherapy. Current research highlights the need for an in-depth understanding of the TME and the development of strategies to overcome its immunosuppressive properties. Recent studies have explored various immunotherapeutic approaches, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies, some of which have shown promising results in preclinical and early clinical trials. Furthermore, combining immunotherapy with traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, has shown potential for enhancing antitumor efficacy, although targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer are still in their early stages and are being investigated for their ability to disrupt specific molecular pathways involved in tumor growth and survival. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer, discussing the current state of research, clinical outcomes, and future directions for improving patient prognosis.