How the latest groundbreaking treatments are revolutionizing medicine and increasing survival rates.
By Steven N. Hochwald, MD, MBA, FACS,Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center
Pancreatic cancer has long been known for its difficult prognosis, but recent advancements in treatment are significantly improving the outlook for patients. The disease currently stands as the 10th most diagnosed cancer in the United States and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, thanks to exciting new therapies, survival rates are improving, and there is a growing sense of hope.
The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has more than doubled in the last decade—though it’s still only 13%—but with continued research and the development of better early detection methods, pancreatic cancer is becoming more curable. These innovative treatments that are making a significant impact on the fight against this disease include:
- Immunotherapy: A promising new treatment, immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to better fight cancer. Pancreatic cancer vaccines, for example, can help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively, and clinical trials are currently exploring which vaccine proves to be most effective.
- Targeted Therapy: Pancreatic cancer is not a single disease, but a collection of different types caused by various gene mutations. Targeted therapy is a treatment approach that uses drugs or other substances to specifically attack molecules that cancer cells need to grow and survive. As we learn more about the genetic mutations that drive pancreatic cancer, new drugs are being developed to target and treat specific types of the disease more effectively.
- Next-Generation Sequencing: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a DNA sequencing tool that helps oncologists understand the genetic profile of tumor cells, leading to more personalized treatments. Sequencing should be performed from the tumors in all pancreatic cancer patients to identify mutations that can be targeted with specific therapies. Sequencing should also be considered in patients with pancreatic cancer to determine if there are germline alterations that make them, and possible family members, at increased genetic risk for the development of these cancers.
- Robotic Surgery: Robotic surgery is a cutting-edge technique that offers numerous advantages over traditional open surgery, including reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved surgical outcomes. This minimally invasive approach is used to treat pancreatic head cancer, with the “Whipple” procedure (which removes tumors from the pancreas) now being successfully performed on a more routine basis using robotic systems, resulting in positive outcomes for patients.
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT): A radiotherapy technique that can lead to better local control and longer survival, SBRT allows higher doses of radiation to be delivered to a pancreatic tumor while also avoiding toxicity to the other non-affected organs.
- NALIRIFOX and FOLFIRINOX: These are two chemotherapy treatments that combine three previously approved pancreatic cancer drugs. This combination has resulted in more prolonged survival for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
- Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Tests: About 80% of patients are diagnosed at later stages, after the pancreatic cancer has metastasized, due to the lack of early detection, making it more challenging to treat. This is why early detection is critical for improving long-term survival in pancreatic cancer patients, as it allows for surgery, which can increase life expectancy by nearly ten-fold. Unfortunately, there is still no standard test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in individuals at risk. Researchers around the world are working hard to change this, with recent advancements in blood tests, imaging techniques, and artificial intelligence (AI) offering the potential to detect pancreatic cancer early and save lives.
While there is still much more work to be done, the future of pancreatic cancer treatment is filled with promise. Early detection methods, when widely available, will allow for better treatment options. Raising awareness about reducing risk factors like smoking and obesity could also help decrease the number of pancreatic cancer cases.
At Mount Sinai, it is our mission to continually learn from and adapt pioneering advancements, from immunotherapy trials to multicancer early detection tests. We also offer genetic screening for high-risk families and perform robotic surgeries for pancreatic cancer—one of the most successful programs in South Florida.
If you’re interested in learning more about the latest breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment, join us at the GI Cancer Symposium, hosted in collaboration with Columbia University. The event will take place at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL, in April 2025. For more details on how to attend, please visit sfgisymposium.com.
In the meantime, explore the resources and high quality care provided by our Comprehensive Cancer Center. See what we have to offer HERE.
