Open AccessBRCA mutated pancreatic cancer: A change is coming
Author(s) -
Michael N. Rosen,
Rachel Goodwin,
Michael M. Vickers
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v27.i17.1943
Subject(s) - pancreatic cancer , germline , medicine , brca mutation , oncology , ovarian cancer , germline mutation , cancer , breast cancer , cancer research , synthetic lethality , mutation , dna repair , biology , genetics , gene
Pancreatic cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death with few available therapies for advanced disease. Recently, patients with germline BRCA mutations have received increased attention due to advances in the management of BRCA mutated ovarian and breast tumors. Germline BRCA mutations significantly increase risk of developing pancreatic cancer and can be found in up to 8% of patients with sporadic pancreatic cancer. In patients with germline BRCA mutations, platinum-based chemotherapies and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors are effective treatment options which may offer survival benefits. This review will focus on the molecular biology, epidemiology, and management of BRCA -mutated pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we will discuss future directions for this area of research and promising active areas of research.