Personalized Treatment for BRCA Mutated Pancreatic Cancer

Authors

  • Samir Aloulou Department of Medical Oncology, Mohamed Ben Sassi Hospital, University of Sfax, Gabes, Tunisia. Tunisian Society of Medical Oncology, Sousse, Tunisia.
  • Nesrine Mejri Department of Medical Oncology, Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine Tunis, Tunisia.
  • Myriam Saadi Department of Medical Oncology, Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine Tunis, Tunisia. Tunisian Society of Medical Oncology, Sousse, Tunisia.
  • Houda Belfekih Department of Medical Oncology, Taher Maamouri Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of medicine Tunis, Tunisia.
  • Sourour Fallah Department of Medical Oncology, Mohamed Ben Sassi Hospital, University of Sfax, Gabes, Tunisia.
  • Yosra Berrazaga Department of Medical Oncology, Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine Tunis, Tunisia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCB.2026.11.4.1171

Keywords:

Pancreatic cancer, germline BRCA mutation, Platinum chemotherapy, Olaparib, Poly (Adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, Targeted therapy

Abstract

Despite advancements in surgical techniques, radiation, and medical therapies, the 5-year survival rate remains below 10%. Recently, the genomic landscape of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been extensively studied, leading to the identification of BRCA mutations, currently recognized as a target for the development of novel personalized therapies. Alterations in germline BRCA and PALB2 are detected in approximately 5–9% of patients with PDAC and can result in homologous repair deficiency (HRD), and consequently, accumulation of double-stranded breaks. In patients with germline BRCA mutations, platinum-based chemotherapies and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors) are efficacious treatment options that may confer survival benefits. Olaparib is currently indicated for maintenance therapy in metastatic PDAC, BRCA mutated whose disease does not progress after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Strategies combining therapies are currently under investigation. This review discusses the rationale for gBRCAm testing in patients with PDAC and its clinical implications. We also summarize recent literature on cisplatin-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors in patients with BRCA-mutated PDAC.

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Published

2026-10-05

How to Cite

1.
Aloulou S, Mejri N, Saadi M, Belfekih H, Fallah S, Berrazaga Y. Personalized Treatment for BRCA Mutated Pancreatic Cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Biol [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 5 [cited 2026 Oct. 11];11(4):1171-80. Available from: http://waocp.com/journal/index.php/apjcb/article/view/2472

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology

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