Molecular Insights into Pancreatic Diseases
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 179
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with an exceptionally poor prognosis. Unfortunately, due to the lack of any diagnostic tools and non-specific symptomatology, the majority of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease. Since 1996, only five drugs have been approved by FDA, and the median survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer remains less than one year. There has been an improvement in 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer—from 4% to 13%; however, it is largely due to the increased detection of indolent neuroendocrine tumor (PNET). For PDAC, 5-year survival remains at only 8%. The lack of effective therapies underlines the need for more research in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches that are capable of substantially improving outcomes for PDAC patients. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), including pancreatic NET (PNET) are heterogeneous neoplasms with different molecular characteristics and prognoses. Although slow-growing, NETs are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Precise knowledge relating to the biological and molecular features of NETs has led to the development of novel therapies. Questions, such as the optimal timing, selection and sequence of therapies, and biomarkers that predict response to the novel agents in an individual patient, remain to be answered.
- In this Special Issue, we examine the current treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer, highlighting the utility of precision medicine for an increased understanding of cancer mechanisms. We highlight potential novel agents that may promise a better outcome for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, we discuss the current treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, with special focus on targeted agents and radiopharmaceuticals. We also address the challenges and limitations associated with molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer, as well as future directions for research and clinical practice.
- In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant therapy for resectable and borderline pancreatic cancer.
- Understand molecular mechanisms of PDAC/pancreatic cancer.
- KRAS and beyond in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
- Current treatment of neuroendocrine tumors including PNETs.
- Advances in radiopharmaceuticals.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Wasif Saif
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- pancreatic cancer
- pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- KRAS
- KRAS inhibitors
- KRASG12D inhibitor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- XPO1 inhibitor
- PNET
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