Emerging Therapeutic Landscapes for KRAS-Mutant Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Beyond the “Undruggable” Paradigm
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Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most lethal malignancies, exhibits a 5-year survival rate below 10% and extremely poor clinical prognosis. Over 90% of PDAC patients harbor KRAS gene driver mutations, which promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment through constitutive activation of downstream RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/
mTOR signaling pathways. Although the therapeutic potential of targeting KRAS has been recognized for decades, its smooth protein structure and lack of traditional drug-binding pockets led to its long-standing classification as an “undruggable” target, resulting in limited efficacy of early targeted agents. Recent breakthroughs with next-generation KRAS inhibitors have transformed the therapeutic landscape for pancreatic cancer. This review synthesizes evidence from basic research and clinical translation to provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the precision treatment of KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer.
Cite this article as: Li W, Lin X, Liu P, et al. Emerging therapeutic landscapes for KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: beyond the “undruggable” paradigm. Turk J Gastroenterol. Published online January 30, 2026. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2026.25595