title: From bench to bedside a comprehensive review of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
abstract: The incidence of pancreatic cancer has been increasing while its 5-year survival rate has not changed in decades. In the era of personalized medicine, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality in a variety of malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. This review will discuss the unique pancreatic tumor microenvironment, including the cells and receptors that transform the pancreas from its normal architecture into a complex mix of suppressor immune cells and dense extracellular matrix that allows for the unrestricted growth of cancer cells. Next, we will highlight the recently completed immunotherapy clinical trials in pancreatic cancer. Finally, we will explore the on-going immunotherapy clinical trials and future directions of this engaging and changing field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, UVA Box 800716, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kunk
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA USA.
authors.forename: Todd W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA USA.
authors.forename: Craig L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Slingluff
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, UVA Box 800716, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA.
authors.forename: Osama E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Rahma
keywords: Cancer vaccine; Immune checkpoint; Immunotherapy; Pancreatic cancer; Tumor Immunology