Pancreatic Cancer Management - Partners in Practice with Dr. Tim Brown & Ms. Heather Kline

Metastatic pancreatic cancer management relies on a multidisciplinary approach, balancing aggressive systemic therapies with patient quality of life. Frontline treatment options include FOLFIRINOX, nalirifox, and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, with selection dictated by patient performance status and comorbidities. Germline and somatic testing remain essential to identify BRCA and PALB2 mutations, which may enable the use of platinum-based regimens. Effective care requires continuous patient education regarding side effects—such as fatigue, neuropathy, and gastrointestinal distress—and proactive symptom management. The integration of advanced practice providers into the care team facilitates consistent monitoring and rapid clinical adjustments. While emerging KRAS inhibitors offer potential for future therapeutic advancements, current practice emphasizes maximizing time on established regimens through collaborative communication and mutual respect between physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.