Molecular classification as prognostic factor and guide for treatment decision of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Clinico-pathological factors fail to consistently predict the outcome after pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDACs show a high level of inter- and intra- tumor genetic heterogeneity. A molecular classification should help sort patients into less heterogeneous and more appropriate groups regarding the metastatic risk and the therapeutic response, with the consequences of better predicting evolution and better orienting the treatment. PDAC can be classified based on mutational subtypes and 18gene alterations. Whole-genome sequencing identified mutational signatures, mutational burden and hyper-mutated tumors with specific DNA repair defects. Their overlap/similarities allow the definition of molecular subtypes. DNA and RNA classifications can be used in prognosis assessment. They are useful in therapeutic choice for they allow the design of approaches that can predict the respective drug sensitivity of each molecular subtype. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of available molecular classifications in PDAC and how this can help guide clinical decisions.

Keywords: Expression profiling; Genomic alteration; Pancreatic cancer; Personalized medicine; Prognosis; Survival.