Abstract
Treatment of pancreatic cancer should be a relatively simple clinical problem, all that is needed is to find the features of pancreatic cancer cells that distinguish them from normal cells and target these differences. This is the basis of current therapies including gemcitabine and 5-FU which target DNA synthesis. Unfortunately, cancer cells become resistant to these therapies: By exclusion of drugs from cancer cells; by changes in enzymes metabolising the drugs; or by becoming more resistant to stress and apoptosis. Increasing levels of the drugs is limited by their somatic toxicity so numerous alternative therapies have been proposed. Testing these alternatives in clinical trials will be difficult unless they work with the standard treatments (e.g. gemcitabine). To date most work has concentrated on combining different S-phase targeting agents. Further incremental increase in survival benefit should be possible by targeting resistance to apoptosis, targeting stroma or even targeting multiple pathways in combination with gemcitabine.
Keywords: Pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, chemotherapy, novel therapy, combination therapy, targets, pathways, apoptosis, tumour microenvironment, drug resistance, toxicity
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Volume: 11 Issue: 5
Author(s): William Greenhalf and Amy Thomas
Affiliation:
Keywords: Pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, chemotherapy, novel therapy, combination therapy, targets, pathways, apoptosis, tumour microenvironment, drug resistance, toxicity
Abstract: Treatment of pancreatic cancer should be a relatively simple clinical problem, all that is needed is to find the features of pancreatic cancer cells that distinguish them from normal cells and target these differences. This is the basis of current therapies including gemcitabine and 5-FU which target DNA synthesis. Unfortunately, cancer cells become resistant to these therapies: By exclusion of drugs from cancer cells; by changes in enzymes metabolising the drugs; or by becoming more resistant to stress and apoptosis. Increasing levels of the drugs is limited by their somatic toxicity so numerous alternative therapies have been proposed. Testing these alternatives in clinical trials will be difficult unless they work with the standard treatments (e.g. gemcitabine). To date most work has concentrated on combining different S-phase targeting agents. Further incremental increase in survival benefit should be possible by targeting resistance to apoptosis, targeting stroma or even targeting multiple pathways in combination with gemcitabine.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Greenhalf William and Thomas Amy, Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152011795677391
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152011795677391 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Effect of Metformin and Statin Use on Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Review of the Effects of Gold, Silver, Selenium, and Zinc Nanoparticles on Diabetes Mellitus in Murine Models
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Diabetes and Complications: Cellular Signaling Pathways, Current Understanding and Targeted Therapies
Current Drug Targets Anti-Hyperglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Different Aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller) Extracts in the Management of Obesity and Diabetes
Current Nutrition & Food Science The Effects of Dietary Supplements that Overactivate the Nrf2/ARE System
Current Medicinal Chemistry ras Genes and Human Cancer: Different Implications and Different Roles
Current Genomics A Novel Strategy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer-Progression of Molecular Targeting Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Biochemical Markers of Renal Function
Current Medicinal Chemistry Hydrogen Sulphide and Pain
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable and Borderline Resectable Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas
Current Drug Targets Selected Approaches for Rational Drug Design and High Throughput Screening to Identify Anti-Cancer Molecules
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Characteristics, Functions and Inhibitors of Three Aminopeptidases Belonging to the M1 Family
Current Protein & Peptide Science Imatinib Mesylate for the Treatment of Solid Tumours: Recent Trials and Future Directions
Current Enzyme Inhibition An Insight into the Dermatological Applications of Neem: A Review on Traditional and Modern Aspect
Recent Advances in Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Synthesis and Anti-Proliferative Activity of New Biphenyle-Benzylidenethiazolidine- 2,4-dione Bis-Adducts Containing Various Heterocyclic Cores
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Inducing Tumor Cell Apoptosis: Mediated Survivin miRNA by Ultrasound and Cationic Lipid Contrast Agent
Current Molecular Medicine MicroRNA-21: From Cancer to Cardiovascular Disease
Current Drug Targets Emerging Role of GPR30/GPER1 in Skeletal Metabolism
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) EGFR High Expression, but not KRAS Status, Predicts Sensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Nimotuzumab Treatment In Vivo
Current Cancer Drug Targets Emerging Role of Interleukins for the Assessment and Treatment of Liver Diseases
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets