Delivering RNA-based therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment: current progress and challenges

Haoyang Cong; Limin Chang; Yu Li; Wen-Bin Zou; Congcong Xu

doi:10.70401/bmeh.2026.0028

Delivering RNA-based therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment: current progress and challenges

Haoyang Cong

1,#

Limin Chang

2,#

Yu Li

Wen-Bin Zou

4,*

Congcong Xu

1,2,5,*

Affiliation +

*Correspondence to: Wen-Bin Zou, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Changhai Hospital; National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. E-mail: dr.wenbinzou@hotmail.com
Congcong Xu, International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China. E-mail: xucc@suda.edu.cn

BME Horiz. 2026;4:202609. 10.70401/bmeh.2026.0028

Received: January 24, 2026Accepted: May 20, 2026Published: May 20, 2026

This article belongs to the Special lssue Engineering RNA Delivery Technologies for Vaccine and Therapeutic Development

This manuscript is made available in its unedited form to allow early access to the reported findings. Further editing will be completed before final publication. As such, the content may include errors, and standard legal disclaimers are applicable.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), present formidable treatment challenges owing to the intricacies of their anatomical structures and biological impediment. RNA-based therapeutics offer unprecedented potential for PDAC treatment. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advances in PDAC-targeted nucleic acid delivery systems, including extracellular vesicles, polymer carriers, lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, and antibody-drug conjugates. The review highlights key features of each delivery platform, such as their structural modifications and targeting mechanisms. Additionally, it emphasizes their capacity to overcome PDAC-specific biological barriers. (e.g., blood-pancreatic barrier, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, dense extracellular matrix). We also outline current challenges and future directions in optimizing nucleic acid delivery for PDAC. Integrating the latest insights into PDAC biology, delivery system engineering, and nucleic acid drug development, this review provides a concise, up-to-date perspective to guide the design of effective translational strategies for PDAC therapy.

Keywords

Pancreatic cancer, RNA therapeutics, targeted delivery

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Cong H, Chang L, Li Y, Zou WB, Xu C. Delivering RNA-based therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment: current progress and challenges. BME Horiz. 2026;4:202609. https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0028

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BME Horizon

Delivering RNA-based therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment: current progress and challenges

Haoyang Cong

Limin Chang

Yu Li

Wen-Bin Zou

Congcong Xu

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Delivering RNA-based therapeutics for pancreatic cancer treatment: current progress and challenges

Haoyang Cong

Limin Chang

Yu Li

Wen-Bin Zou

Congcong Xu

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