title: Novel therapies for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
abstract: Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of pancreatic cancer, the disease remains a clinical challenge. Gemcitabine, the standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, offers modest improvement of tumor-related symptoms and marginal advantage of survival. New approaches, alone and in combination with gemcitabine, are being developed to combat this cancer. In this article we review the current status of investigations into several classes of agents: matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors; farnesyl transferase inhibitors; epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors; cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and others. The scientific rationale, mechanism of action, and clinical trial data for these novel agents are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 426, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Simona M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pino
authors.forename: Henry Q
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McConkey
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; C100342:marimastat; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D000093542:Gemcitabine