Advances in the Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

Pancreatic cancer represents a formidable health challenge, characterized by its aggressive nature, late-stage diagnosis, and limited treatment options. Despite advancements in cancer research and treatment modalities, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer remains bleak, with a five-year survival rate of only about 10%. The development and implementation of molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies have emerged as promising strategies to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Molecular diagnostics play a pivotal role in the accurate and early detection of pancreatic cancer. By analyzing genetic alterations, epigenetic changes, and biomarker expression profiles, molecular tests can aid in the identification of high-risk individuals, enable early-stage diagnosis, and inform personalized treatment decisions. Furthermore, molecular profiling of pancreatic tumors has led to the identification of distinct molecular subtypes, each with unique biological characteristics and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Targeted therapies represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, moving away from traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy towards more precise and effective treatment approaches. By targeting specific molecular aberrations, such as mutations in oncogenes or dysregulation of signaling pathways, targeted therapies offer the potential for enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy. Additionally, targeted therapies can help overcome the inherent heterogeneity of pancreatic tumors, which contributes to treatment resistance and disease progression.

In this Special Issue, we examine the current landscape of molecular diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer, highlighting the utility of precision medicine for increased understanding of cancer mechanisms. We highlight recent advancements in molecular profiling technologies, the identification of novel biomarkers, and the development of innovative, targeted therapies. These studies have led to the emergence of newer types of clinical trials, such as the “basket” trial, which have shown promise in the more rapid acquisition of data on the effectiveness of treatment modalities. Furthermore, we 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.

Dr. Steven T. Brower
Dr. Robert G. Pergolizzi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• pancreatic cancer
• molecular diagnostics
• biomarkers
• oncogenes
• epigenetics
• genomic profiling
• next-generation sequencing
• liquid biopsy
• precision medicine