Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive tumor that originates in the tissues of the pancreas, a digestive organ located behind the stomach that regulates the body’s blood sugar levels. Due to its nonspecific and subtle symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weight loss, the cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

There are two main types of pancreatic cancer: exocrine tumors, which arise in the cells that produce digestive enzymes, and neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), which develop in the cells that produce hormones. PNETs are relatively rare.

Pancreatic cancer treatment can vary based on the stage and characteristics of the tumor and the patient’s overall health. Common options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

What does immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer involve?

Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is an innovative treatment that aims to enhance the body’s immune system to help it better recognize and attack cancer cells. Different immunotherapy approaches include:

• CAR T-cell therapy – A type of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy involves harvesting the patient’s immune cells (T-cells) and modifying them in a special laboratory to enhance their cancer-fighting abilities. The modified T-cells are then infused into the patient’s bloodstream.
• Checkpoint inhibitors – Drugs such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) can block the proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells, helping the immune system recognize and destroy pancreatic cancer cells.
• Cancer vaccines – Vaccines such as the GVAX pancreas vaccine can stimulate the immune system to seek out and attack pancreatic cancer cells by introducing tumor-specific antigens into the body.
• Oncolytic virus therapy – A genetically modified virus that preferentially infects and destroys pancreatic cancer cells is introduced into the body.
• Cytokine therapy – Proteins such as interleukins and interferons can boost the immune system’s ability to fight pancreatic cancer.

These immunotherapies may be used alone or in combination with traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for enhanced effectiveness. Each patient’s treatment plan will be tailored to their specific type and stage of pancreatic cancer, as well as their overall health and response to therapy.

What are the risks and possible complications of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer?

Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer carries several risks and possible complications, including:

• Persistent tiredness – Weakness and fatigue are common side effects of immunotherapy.
• Immune-related side effects – Immunotherapy can affect various organs and tissues, causing diarrhea (colitis), mouth sores (mucositis), numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (neuropathy), lung inflammation (pneumonitis), liver inflammation (hepatitis) and skin changes.
• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) – If the immune system overreacts to the immunotherapy drugs, the affected immune cells may rapidly release cell-signaling proteins (cytokines) into the blood, which can cause high fever, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and organ dysfunction.
• Infection – Immune system modulation during immunotherapy can increase the risk of infection.
• Autoimmune reactions – The immune system may attack healthy tissues, leading to autoimmune conditions, such as drug-induced lupus and psoriasis.

These potential side effects necessitate close monitoring and management by the healthcare team to ensure patient safety and address any complications promptly.

What to expect during recovery from immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer

During recovery from immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, a patient can expect a period of close monitoring to manage any side effects and assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Common side effects, such as fatigue and skin reactions, may persist for some time. Supportive care, including medications and nutritional support, may be provided to help improve recovery.

How effective is immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to treat due to its aggressive nature and the immunosuppressive environment of the tumor. Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer has shown promise in certain cases but it is generally less effective compared to its success in other cancers, such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, some patients respond well to immunotherapy, achieving tumor reduction and prolonged survival. Through ongoing research and clinical trials, scientists continue to study possible ways to improve outcomes for this aggressive and challenging-to-treat type of cancer.

Benefit from world-class care at Moffitt Cancer Center

If you would like to learn more about immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, you can request an appointment with a specialist in our Gastrointestinal Oncology Program by calling 1-888-663-3488 or submitting a new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.