Inherited predisposition to pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death in the US by 2030. There are multiple germline pathogenic variants and cancer syndromes associated with an increased risk of PDAC. Precision treatment, informed by germline genetic testing and molecular tumor analysis, can optimize therapeutic regimens and outcomes for those diagnosed with PDAC. As a result, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network currently recommends genetic testing for all newly diagnosed PDAC patients given the clinical implications for treatment but also for the identification of at-risk family members who can benefit from pancreatic cancer screening and other cancer prevention strategies. This article reviews inherited risk factors for the development of PDAC and current screening strategies for the early detection of PDAC in high-risk populations.

Keywords: Familial pancreatic cancer; Genetic risk assessment; Genetic testing; Inherited Cancer Syndromes; Pancreatic cancer; Screening and early detection.