Cancer Patient Guide
Pancreatic Cancer: Expert Insights for Treatment Decisions
Curated from expert webinars(part of 150+ across all cancer types) hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, featuring insights from Dr. Eileen O'Reilly and leading cancer researchers. Covers FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine, BRCA/PALB2 mutations, surgical resection, and clinical trials.
Expert Panel
Oncologists and researchers who contributed insights through Cancer Patient Lab webinars
Eileen O'Reilly, MD
Pancreatic cancer treatment and clinical trials
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
Functional precision medicine — testing drugs on cancer cells
Lisa Butterfield
Cancer vaccines and immunotherapy
Ezra Cohen, MD
AI tools in cancer patient-doctor conversations
Lauren Leiman
Liquid biopsy for cancer monitoring
Selin Kurnaz
Finding the right cancer clinical trial
Massive Bio
Treatment Topics
Key treatment areas covered across our pancreatic cancer webinar series
FOLFIRINOX & Gemcitabine-Based Chemotherapy
FOLFIRINOX (5-FU, leucovorin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel are the two standard first-line regimens for metastatic pancreatic cancer. FOLFIRINOX generally shows higher response rates but with more side effects — modified FOLFIRINOX reduces toxicity while maintaining efficacy. The choice depends on patient performance status, age, and bilirubin levels. Dr. Eileen O'Reilly discusses optimizing these regimens.
BRCA/PALB2 Mutations & PARP Inhibitors
Approximately 5-9% of pancreatic cancers harbor BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutations. These tumors are particularly sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy and may benefit from PARP inhibitor maintenance (olaparib) after platinum response. Genomic testing is now recommended for all pancreatic cancer patients — it can also identify NTRK fusions, MSI-H, and other rare actionable targets.
Surgical Resection (Whipple Procedure)
Surgery remains the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer, but only 15-20% of patients are candidates at diagnosis. The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for head-of-pancreas tumors and distal pancreatectomy for tail tumors require high-volume surgical centers for best outcomes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery is increasingly used to downstage borderline-resectable tumors.
Emerging Therapies & Clinical Trials
Pancreatic cancer is among the most actively studied cancers in clinical trials. Emerging approaches include KRAS G12D inhibitors (targeting the most common KRAS mutation in pancreatic cancer), cancer vaccines (mRNA-based personalized neoantigen vaccines), antibody-drug conjugates, and novel immunotherapy combinations. Finding the right clinical trial can be critical for patients who progress on standard therapy.
Monitoring & Supportive Care
CA 19-9 is the primary tumor marker for monitoring pancreatic cancer treatment response. Liquid biopsy is emerging as a complementary tool. Supportive care — including pancreatic enzyme replacement, pain management, nutritional support, and early palliative care — significantly impacts quality of life and can even improve treatment outcomes.
Common Questions from Pancreatic Cancer Patients
Answered by Navis AI, informed by expert webinars and medical guidelines
What is the difference between FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based treatment?
Should I get genomic testing for pancreatic cancer?
What does BRCA or PALB2 mutation mean for pancreatic cancer treatment?
Am I a candidate for surgical resection (Whipple procedure)?
What is neoadjuvant chemotherapy and when is it used for pancreatic cancer?
How does CA 19-9 help monitor my pancreatic cancer?
What clinical trials are available for pancreatic cancer?
What are emerging treatments for pancreatic cancer?
Testing Services for Pancreatic Cancer
Genomic testing, liquid biopsy, and molecular profiling services relevant to pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Webinars
From Cancer Patient Lab — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Functional Precision Medicine: Testing Drugs on Your Cancer Cells
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
How to Find the Right Cancer Clinical Trial
Selin Kurnaz, Massive Bio
Liquid Biopsy for Cancer: Monitoring Treatment Response
Lauren Leiman, Jenn Dickey
Cancer Vaccines: How They Work and Who Can Benefit
Lisa Butterfield
How AI Tools Are Changing Cancer Patient-Doctor Conversations
Ezra Cohen, MD
Self-Care During Cancer Treatment
Thanos Kosmidis
How to Access Cancer Treatments: Insurance, Clinical Trials
Chris Beardmore
Paying for Cancer Treatments
Nancy Novack, Mike Yancey, Kevin Fordney
Gut Microbiome and Cancer
Michael Liss, MD, PhD
TIL Therapy: Using Your Own Immune Cells to Fight Cancer
Matthew Dons
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Content is curated from expert webinars hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Always consult your oncologist for treatment decisions. Meet our team →