Dr. O'Reilly Discusses Biomarker Research in Pancreatic Cancer

Eileen O’Reilly, MD, associate director for clinical research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses biomarker research in pancreatic cancer.

There are many mutations that are characteristic of pancreatic cancer, such as KRAS, p53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. However, those mutations are not yet targetable as there are no drugs that can effectively alter the outcomes of those patients. However, in KRAS, there are some therapies that might have impact, but further research is needed.

BRCA mutations are another biomarker that is important, explains O’Reilly. Patients with BRCA mutations are often treated with platinum-based drugs, and PARP inhibitors are currently being investigated. There is a study investigating a PARP inhibitor maintenance approach after platinum-based therapy for patients with frontline metastatic pancreatic cancer. According to O’Reilly, there is a high expectation that it will be positive, although the data are not available to confirm that.