Nanomedicines enhance minimally invasive therapy of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic carcinoma (PCa) is a malignant tumor that is highly lethal and lacks an effective treatment. Although surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy of PCa have undergone notable progress, the 5-year survival rate has not increased significantly. Minimally invasive techniques offer a promising alternative for unresectable local PCa, but their clinical application is limited by non-specific damage and low energy efficiency. To overcome these obstacles, nanoparticles as a medium or carrier to focus energy at the tumor site to kill tumor cells with the minimum dose and to limit side effects have been introduced. Nanomedicines combined with minimally invasive techniques alter the conventional therapeutic pattern and provide a new opportunity for PCa treatment. This review focuses on the application of nanomedicine to minimally invasive treatment of PCa and discusses the available options and future directions to improve patient survival. & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Pancreatic carcinoma (PCa) is a highly lethal malignant tumor with limited treatment options. Nanoparticles have been introduced as a medium or carrier to focus energy at the tumor site and minimize side effects. The combination of nanomedicine and minimally invasive techniques provides a new opportunity for the treatment of PCa.