Evolving Paradigms in the Treatment of Oligometastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

J Gastrointest Cancer. 2025 Jan 18;56(1):47. doi: 10.1007/s12029-024-01145-0.

Abstract

Multiple randomized trials have suggested that the addition of comprehensive metastasis-directed therapy to best systemic therapy improves disease control and survival among patients with oligometastatic disease, even for histologies with a high propensity for rapid spread. Here, we review the growing literature supporting the oligometastatic paradigm in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We summarize key details from nascent institutional series and reflect on the recently reported phase II randomized EXTEND trial. We discuss various strategies for enhancing the clinical and technical implementation of metastasis-directed therapy in this patient population. Lastly, we highlight multiple ongoing landmark trials seeking to optimize and validate the role of metastasis-directed therapy in oligometastatic pancreatic cancer. Ultimately, these and other continued clinical and translational research efforts will be critical to improve care and outcomes for patients with oligometastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Metastasis-directed therapy; Oligometastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic