Abstract

TARGETING PANCREATIC CANCER CHEMORESISTANCE: FOCUS ON NOVEL DRUG THERAPIES AND NDDS PLATFORMS

G. Praveen Kumar, M. Rithika2, C. Kalki, M. Dikshapriya, G. Kanimozhi, Pitta Sriramcharan*

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is rapidly emerging as a global threat, with projections indicating it will become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. The main type of pancreatic cancer are pancreatic adenocarcinomas, which arise in the exocrine region of the pancreas and account for approximately 95% of all pancreatic tumors. The tumor develops without symptoms, which complicates early detection. It is marked by the overproduction of fibrotic stroma, referred to as desmoplasia, which facilitates tumor growth and metastasis through extracellular matrix remodeling and the release of tumor growth factors. For decades, substantial efforts have been directed toward creating more effective drug delivery systems for treating pancreatic cancer using nanotechnology, immunotherapy, drug conjugates, and combinations of these methods. None the less, even though these methods have shown promise in preclinical studies, there has been no significant clinical advancement, and the outlook for pancreatic cancer is deteriorating. This review offers insights into the challenges linked to delivering therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment. It discusses drug delivery strategies aimed at reducing the adverse effects of current chemotherapy options and enhancing the effectiveness of drug treatment.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; desmoplasia; Hypoxia; nanotechnology; drug-conjugate; immunotherapy; pancreatic adenocarcinoma.