Recent advances are changing how doctors treat pancreatic cancer and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
For pancreatic cancer, a newer treatment called NALIRIFOX was approved in early 2024 for patients with metastatic disease. This combination therapy has shown improved survival, helping patients live about 11.1 months on average compared to 9.2 months with the previous standard treatment. It also uses a lower dose of oxaliplatin, which may reduce nerve-related side effects.
For GEP-NETs, a treatment known as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is becoming an important option, especially for patients with inoperable or progressing tumors. In a major clinical trial, a form of PRRT called lutetium-177 edotreotide significantly delayed disease progression, extending progression-free survival to nearly 24 months compared to about 14 months with standard therapy.
Despite these promising results, careful patient selection remains essential. PRRT, while effective, carries a small risk of serious side effects such as leukemia. Doctors must balance these risks with the benefits, especially for patients with slower-growing tumors that may still respond well to other treatments. As access to these therapies expands, managing long-term safety and ensuring patients can stay on treatment are becoming key considerations.