Chemoprevention and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: Update and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal types of cancer with a 5-year survival rate of around 7%. Due to the relatively poor prognosis, the potential need of an effective chemoprevention is highly needed. Summary: Different risk factors like smoking or hereditary tumour syndromes should be known for early detection of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Chemopreventive dietary agents include curcumin, capsaicin and flavonoid, whereas potential chemopreventive drugs compromise aspirin, metformin or statins. This review aims to give an overview on potential risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we try to summarise known chemopreventive agents to support the fight against this lethal disease. Key Messages: On the one hand, there are natural agents that exhibit preventive properties and can lead to the prohibition of pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, there are drugs and agents that are currently used in other contexts and are thus already approved and studied in terms of their mechanisms of effects and the related secondary effects.

The Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel Significantly Decreases Viability in Malignant Solid Tumor Cells in a Dose-Dependent Manner

“…While the recurrence rate of colorectal carcinoma is similar to that of renal adenocarcinoma at 19.4% to 21.6%, the five-year survival rate is significantly higher at 88.6% to 89.4% [3]. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has an extremely low survival rate of 10% to 28% [4] after one year due to a very high recurrence rate of 65.5% [5]. The resulting 5-year survival rate is dismal at 6% in the United States and Europe [6].…”

Familial Pancreatic Cancer

“…Most mouse models show a transdifferentiation of acinar cells and development of PanIN1a, PanIN1b (low-grade lesions), PanIN2 (intermediate-grade lesions), and PanIN3 (high-grade lesions) in a linear process; however, pancreatic cancer can also develop without a step up process of PanIN lesions [15,22,32,33]. More investigations are necessary to gain a better understanding of these processes and mechanisms.…”

“…Although it is not known why, women who have their first child at an older age have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer [68]. Smoking and alcohol abuse, especially seen in heavy drinkers, increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer [22]. 20-35% of cases with PDAC are associated with smoking [67].…”

“…20-35% of cases with PDAC are associated with smoking [67]. Obesity, as shown by BMI, as well as diabetes mellitus lead to an increased risk for PDAC [22,69,70]. Pancreatitis is one of the most important risk factors for PDAC [71].…”

“…Additionally, patients with a tumor syndrome and mutations that are connected to a higher risk of PDAC are included [21]. Not all factors are genetic, environmental influences like smoking or obesity can also promote the development of PDAC [22]. …”