Current Status of Biomarker and Targeted Nanoparticle Development: The Precision Oncology Approach for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy

• Authors: Lei Zhu, Emory University; Charles Staley, Emory University; David A Kooby, Emory University; Bassel El-Rayes, Emory University; Hui Mao, Emory University; Lily Yang, Emory University
• Journal Title: Cancer Letters
• Volume: Volume 388
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months | 2017-03-01, Pages 139-148
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2016.11.030
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Radiology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Oncology; Pancreatic cancer; Molecular imaging; Targeted therapy; Image-guided cancer therapy; Theranostic nanoparticles; GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR; FACTOR-I RECEPTOR; PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR RECEPTOR; HIGH-RISK GROUP; DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA; PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY; NAB-PACLITAXEL; THERANOSTIC NANOPARTICLES; TYROSINE KINASE; PHASE I/II

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality. The majority of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage with unresectable and drug resistant tumors. The new treatments with the combination of chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have shown modest effects on therapeutic efficacy and survival of the patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic approaches targeting highly heterogeneous pancreatic cancer cells and tumor microenvironments. Recent advances in biomarker targeted cancer therapy and image-guided drug delivery and monitoring treatment response using multifunctional nanoparticles, also referred to as theranostic nanoparticles, offer a new opportunity of effective detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Increasing evidence from preclinical studies has shown the potential of applications of theranostic nanoparticles for designing precision oncology approaches for pancreatic cancer therapy. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding and strategies for the development of targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer using nanoparticle drug carriers. We address issues concerning drug delivery barriers in stroma rich pancreatic cancer and the potential approaches to improve drug delivery efficiency, therapeutic responses and tumor imaging. Research results presented in this review suggest the development of an integrated therapy protocol through image-guided and targeted drug delivery and therapeutic effect monitoring as a promising precision oncology strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment.