Wasif M. Saif, MD, MBBS, deputy physician in chief, director of medical oncology, Northwell Health Cancer Institute, professor of medical oncology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra/Northwell, discusses recommendations for germline testing in patients with pancreatic cancer.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends that all patients with pancreatic cancer be tested for germline mutations, according to Saif. Moreover, it has been advised that targeted agents can benefit patients with somatic mutations, as well, Saif says.

Germline testing should look for microsatellite instability, as well as 

 mutations, Saif adds. It is necessary to understand the disease and stage, as well as the molecular makeup of each tumor, Saif says. Testing should occur in initial work-up, and results should be used to guide treatments decisions in this population, Saif concludes. 

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Wasif M. Saif, MD, MBBS, discusses recommendations for germline testing in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Saif on Recommendations for Germline Testing in Pancreatic Cancer 

Wasif M. Saif, MD, MBBS, deputy physician in chief, director of medical oncology, Northwell Health Cancer Institute, professor of medical oncology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra/Northwell, discusses the rationale to utilize PARP inhibitors in 

In the United States, pancreatic cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers and about 7% of all cancer deaths. Although this is a relatively low incidence compared with other solid malignancies, pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, Saif says. Additionally, the disease is highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The current standard of care for patients with pancreatic cancer is FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). Although these regimens provide disease control, the cancer eventually becomes resistant to the chemotherapy, Saif explains. 

Notably, it was discovered that patients with DNA damage repair deficient tumors, such as those that harbor 

 mutations, are sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, Saif says. However, these tumors are particularly responsive to PARP inhibitors as a salvage DNA repair pathway. As such, PARP inhibitors should be utilized in patients with 

-mutated pancreatic cancer to provide a progression-free survival advantage, Saif concludes.

Wasif M. Saif, MD, MBBS, discusses the rationale to utilize PARP inhibitors in BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer.


Wasif Saif, MD

Articles

Dr. Saif on Recommendations for Germline Testing in Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Saif on the Rationale to Utilize PARP Inhibitors in BRCA+ Pancreatic Cancer