Cited by 151Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology ResearchCancer Genomics and DiagnosticsPancreatitis Pathology and Treatment

Mutations in key driver genes of pancreatic cancer: molecularly targeted therapies and other clinical implications

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Hu, Hai-feng, Ye, Zeng, Qin, Yi, Xu, Xiao-wu, Yu, Xian-jun, Zhuo, Qi-feng, Ji, Shun-rong·2021·Acta Pharmacologica Sinica

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, with a minimal difference between its incidence rate and mortality rate. Advances in oncology over the past several decades have dramatically improved the overall survival of patients with multiple cancers due to the implementation of new techniques in early diagnosis, therapeutic drugs, and personalized therapy. However, pancreatic cancers remain recalcitrant, with a 5-year relative survival rate of <9%. The lack of measures for early diagnosis, strong resistance to chemotherapy, ineffective adjuvant chemotherapy and the unavailability of molecularly targeted therapy are responsible for the high mortality rate of this notorious disease. Genetically, PDAC progresses as a complex result of the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors. Although next-generation sequencing has identified numerous new genetic alterations, their clinical implications remain unknown. Classically, oncogenic mutations in genes such as KRAS and loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressors, such as TP53, CDNK2A, DPC4/SMAD4, and BRCA2, are frequently observed in PDAC. Currently, research on these key driver genes is still the main focus. Therefore, studies assessing the functions of these genes and their potential clinical implications are of paramount importance. In this review, we summarize the biological function of key driver genes and pharmaceutical targets in PDAC. In addition, we conclude the results of molecularly targeted therapies in clinical trials and discuss how to utilize these genetic alterations in further clinical practice.

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  1. Wilentz RE, Chung CH, Sturm PD, Musler A, Sohn TA, Offerhaus GJ, et al. K-ras mutations in the duodenal fluid of patients with pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer- Am Cancer Soc. 1998;82:96-103.

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Authors
Hu, H.-F., Ye, Z., Qin, Y., Xu, X.-W., Yu, X.-J., Zhuo, Q.-F., & Ji, S.-R.
Affiliations
Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University (CN)
ORCID
Qin, Yi
Venue
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
Published
2021-02-11
Volume
42
Issue
11
Pages
1725-1741
ISSN
  • 0253-9756 (ISSN-L)
  • 1671-4083
  • 1745-7254
OpenAlex
W3126704571
Cited by
149
References
244
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 3
FWCI
2.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (81625016)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81871950 and 81972250, 2019-01-07-00-07-E00057, 81625016, 81871950, 2019-01, 81972250)
  • National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (81625016)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
Keywords
pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, driver genes, KRAS mutation, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, BRCA2, oncogene activation, tumor suppressor inactivation, targeted therapy, drug resistance, next-generation sequencing, clinical trials, personalized treatment
MeSH terms
Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Mutation, Oncogenes, Pancreatic Neoplasms, Biomarkers, Tumor, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras), Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal, Smad4 Protein, Molecular Targeted Therapy, High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

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