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Review
. 2019 Aug 8;14(1):141.
doi: 10.1186/s13014-019-1345-6.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: biological hallmarks, current status, and future perspectives of combined modality treatment approaches

Michael Orth  1   2   3 , Philipp Metzger  1   4 , Sabine Gerum  1 , Julia Mayerle  5 , Günter Schneider  2   6 , Claus Belka  1   2 , Maximilian Schnurr  4 , Kirsten Lauber  7   8
Affiliations
Review

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: biological hallmarks, current status, and future perspectives of combined modality treatment approaches

Michael Orth et al. Radiat Oncol. .

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with poor prognosis and rising incidence. Late detection and a particularly aggressive biology are the major challenges which determine therapeutic failure. In this review, we present the current status and the recent advances in PDAC treatment together with the biological and immunological hallmarks of this cancer entity. On this basis, we discuss new concepts combining distinct treatment modalities in order to improve therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcome - with a specific focus on protocols involving radio(chemo)therapeutic approaches.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multi-step PDAC carcinogenesis. Modified from [47].
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Molecular classifications of PDAC. Modified from [63].
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
PDAC desmoplasia. Modified from [66].
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
PDAC epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis formation.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Combined modality perspectives for the treatment of PDAC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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