Dissecting the molecular landscape of pancreatic cancer: towards a precision medicine approach

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with an increasing incidence. Most patients with this type of neoplasm present with unresectable tumors at the time of diagnosis. Areas covered: Current treatments for such patients are minimally effective in controlling cancer progression; therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches are needed to improve clinical outcomes. Thanks to the growing body of knowledge on the genetic landscape of pancreatic cancer, the application of the so-called 'precision medicine', a new approach that considers the individual variability in molecular alterations to improve oncological outcomes by personalizing cancer treatment, could be now possible for some patients. Expert opinion: In this review, we will discuss the most recent investigative studies, as well as their primary results, of the potential role of precision medicine in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.