Back to discover
Disease
Adenocarcinoma
Late-stage therapeutic developmentActively researchedRising momentum
52
Publications
24
Clinical trials
12
Related conditions
8
Related treatments
10
Related proteins
2024
Latest publication
Current focus
Antibodies biologyNivolumab biologyTherapeutic developmentInflammation & immunity
Latest activity
betaRecent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.
Research2024-07-02Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association
Diagnostic potential of exosomal extracellular vesicles in oncology.
Research2024-03-08BMC cancer
Vulvar Cancer, Version 3.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Research2024-03-01Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
Research2024-02-03Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association
Research2024-01-02JAMA network open
Research2023-10-01Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
Research2023-09-11Lancet (London, England)
Research2023-07-24Molecular cancer
Research2023-06-27Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death
Approval: Docetaxel Accord (EMA)
Regulatory2012-05-22EMA
Approval: Docetaxel Kabi (EMA)
Regulatory2012-05-22EMA
Regulatory1995-11-27EMA
What's happening now
An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.
Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Moderate
Key developments
- 6 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q4 2026.
Upcoming Milestones
- Q4 2026A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Phase 3 Study of IBI343 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Investigator's Choice in Subjects With Previously Treated, Claudin (CLDN) 18.2-positive, HER2-negative, Locally Advanced, Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
- Q4 2026A Phase III Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of ASKB589 Combined With CAPOX and PD-1 Inhibitor as First-Line Treatment in Claudin18.2 Positive Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
- Q1 2029Phase II/III Second-Line NABPLAGEM vs. Nab-Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine in BRCA1/2 or PALB2 Mutant Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PLATINUM)
- Q2 2029A Randomized, Phase 2/3 Study Comparing Navlimetostat (BMS-986504) in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine Versus Placebo in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Participants With Untreated Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Harboring Homozygous MTAP Deletion
- Q4 2030A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Quemliclustat and Chemotherapy Versus Placebo and Chemotherapy in Patients With Treatment-Naive Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Major developments
Major trial resultsHigh impact
Results posted2026-04-28
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q4 20302026-07-02
Clinical MilestonesView all 11Hide
Results posted
Results expected
- 2026-07-02A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Quemliclustat and Chemotherapy Versus Placebo and Chemotherapy in Patients With Treatment-Naive Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2030
- 2026-07-02Randomized Trial of Consolidation Targeted Adjuvant Therapy With Encorafenib and Cetuximab Versus Usual Care for Patients With Stage II/III BRAF V600E Colon CancerResults expected Q2 2034
- 2026-06-03A Randomized, Phase 2/3 Study Comparing Navlimetostat (BMS-986504) in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine Versus Placebo in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Participants With Untreated Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Harboring Homozygous MTAP DeletionResults expected Q2 2029
- 2026-05-13A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Phase 3 Study of IBI343 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Investigator's Choice in Subjects With Previously Treated, Claudin (CLDN) 18.2-positive, HER2-negative, Locally Advanced, Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2026
- 2026-01-27A Phase III Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of ASKB589 Combined With CAPOX and PD-1 Inhibitor as First-Line Treatment in Claudin18.2 Positive Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2026
Recently completed
Other updates
- 2029-12-01A Single-Arm, Phase II Study of Perioperative Zimberelimab + Domvanalimab and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced, Resectable, Gastroesophageal AdenocarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2027-12-31CAPEcitabine eXtension of Adjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: (CAPE-X)Withdrawn
- 2027-06-07An Open-Label, Phase II Trial to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Onvansertib in Combination With Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in Patients With Previously Untreated, Locally-Advanced or Unresectable Pancreatic AdenocarcinomaWithdrawn
+3 more in the activity timeline below
Activity timeline11
- 2029-12-01ClinicalA Single-Arm, Phase II Study of Perioperative Zimberelimab + Domvanalimab and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced, Resectable, Gastroesophageal AdenocarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2027-12-31ClinicalCAPEcitabine eXtension of Adjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: (CAPE-X)Withdrawn
- 2027-06-07ClinicalAn Open-Label, Phase II Trial to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Onvansertib in Combination With Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in Patients With Previously Untreated, Locally-Advanced or Unresectable Pancreatic AdenocarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2026-07-02ClinicalA Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Quemliclustat and Chemotherapy Versus Placebo and Chemotherapy in Patients With Treatment-Naive Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2030
- 2026-07-02ClinicalRandomized Trial of Consolidation Targeted Adjuvant Therapy With Encorafenib and Cetuximab Versus Usual Care for Patients With Stage II/III BRAF V600E Colon CancerResults expected Q2 2034
- 2026-06-30ClinicalRACE-trial: Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy for Patients With Locally Advanced, Potentially Resectable Adenocarcinoma of the Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) A Randomized Phase III Joint Study of the AIO, ARO and DGAVCompleted
- 2026-06-03ClinicalA Randomized, Phase 2/3 Study Comparing Navlimetostat (BMS-986504) in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine Versus Placebo in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Participants With Untreated Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Harboring Homozygous MTAP DeletionResults expected Q2 2029
- 2026-05-13ClinicalA Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Phase 3 Study of IBI343 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Investigator's Choice in Subjects With Previously Treated, Claudin (CLDN) 18.2-positive, HER2-negative, Locally Advanced, Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2026
- 2026-04-28ClinicalPhase 3, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) Plus Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Chemotherapy Compared With Standard of Care Therapy as First-line Intervention in Participants With Advanced/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (LEAP-015)Results posted
- 2026-01-27ClinicalA Phase III Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of ASKB589 Combined With CAPOX and PD-1 Inhibitor as First-Line Treatment in Claudin18.2 Positive Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction AdenocarcinomaResults expected Q4 2026
Therapeutic landscape
Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.
Approved & established therapies
Paclitaxelapproved
Approval — Apexelsin monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult… (2024)
Zolbetuximabapproved
Approval — Vyloy, in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is ind… (2024)
Tislelizumabapproved
Approval — Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chem… (2023)
Trastuzumab deruxtecanapproved
Approval — Breast cancerHER2-positive breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treat… (2021)
Melphalan hydrochlorideapproved
Approval — High-dose of Phelinun used alone or in combination with other cytotoxic medicinal product… (2020)
Durvalumabapproved
Approval — Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy… (2018)
Irinotecanapproved
Approval — ONIVYDE pegylated liposomal is indicated:- in combination with oxaliplatin, 5 fluorouraci… (2016)
Research-associated treatments
Clinical trials
The current development programme across all trial phases.
Clinical programme
24
6
15
6
Late-stage studies
Recently completed
Regulatory timeline
Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.
First approvals
2024emaApproval — Zolbetuximab· Vyloy, in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2 negative gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumours are Claudin (CLDN) 18.2 positive (see section 4.2). source ↗
2024emaApproval — Paclitaxel· Apexelsin monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. Apexelsin in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Apexelsin in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy. source ↗
2024emaApproval — Paclitaxel· Naveruclif monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated (see section 4.4). Naveruclif in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Naveruclif in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy. source ↗
2023emaApproval — Tislelizumab· Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence (for selection criteria, see section 5.1).Tevimbra in combination with pemetrexed and platinum containing chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-squamous NSCLC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥50% of tumour cells with no EGFR or ALK positive mutations and who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with squamous NSCLC who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior platinum-based therapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving tislelizumab. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Tevimbra, in combination with etoposide and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage SCLC. Gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinomaTevimbra, in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with HER-2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumours express PD L1 with a tumour area positivity (TAP) score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC whose tumours express PD L1 with a TAP score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)Tevimbra, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with recurrent, not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic NPC. source ↗
2021emaApproval — Trastuzumab deruxtecan· Breast cancerHER2-positive breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens.HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer who have received at least one endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting and who are not considered suitable for endocrine therapy as the next line of treatment (see sections 4.2 and 5.1). HER2-low breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy (see section 4.2). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumours have an activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who require systemic therapy following platinum-based chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy.Gastric cancer Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen. source ↗
2020emaApproval — Melphalan hydrochloride· High-dose of Phelinun used alone or in combination with other cytotoxic medicinal products and/or total body irradiation is indicated in the treatment of: multiple myeloma, malignant lymphoma (Hodgkin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma), acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemia, childhood neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, mammary adenocarcinoma. Phelinun in combination with other cytotoxic medicinal products is indicated as reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) treatment prior to allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in malignant haematological diseases in adults. Phelinun in combination with other cytotoxic medicinal products is indicated as conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in haematological diseases in the paediatric population as: Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) treatment in case of malignant haematological diseases RIC treatment in case of non-malignant haematological diseases. source ↗
2018emaApproval — Durvalumab· Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence and no EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced, unresectable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 on ≥ 1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum based chemoradiation therapy (see section 5.1).Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Imfinzi in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Endometrial Cancer Imfinzi in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for systemic therapy, followed by maintenance treatment with: - Imfinzi as monotherapy in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) - Imfinzi in combination with olaparib in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy adjuvant treatment after radical cystectomy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Gastric or Gastro-oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC) Imfinzi in combination with FLOT chemotherapy as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment, followed by adjuvant Imfinzi monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable gastric or gastro‑oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. source ↗
2016emaApproval — Irinotecan· ONIVYDE pegylated liposomal is indicated:- in combination with oxaliplatin, 5 fluorouracil (5 FU) and leucovorin (LV) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas,- in combination with 5-FU and LV for the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in adult patients who have progressed following gemcitabine based therapy. source ↗
European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.
Research activity
Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.
Publications over time
20102024
Most influential
Recent publications
Major themes8
- Adenocarcinoma17
- Pancreatic Neoplasms7
- Esophageal Neoplasms6
- Stomach Neoplasms6
- Claudins2
- Esophagogastric Junction2
- Ampulla of Vater1
- Antibodies, Monoclonal1
Leading journals6
- The New England journal of medicine10
- Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology7
- Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN7
- Nature3
- Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research2
- Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association2
Leading researchers8
- Ajani JA7
- Enzinger PC4
- Ilson DH4
- Shitara K4
- Van Cutsem E4
- Bentrem DJ3
- Chowdhury S3
- Corvera C3
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
- Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.5
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute.5
- Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.5
- Duke Cancer Institute.5
- Fox Chase Cancer Center.5
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.5
Disease biology
Key proteins & gene products studied in this disease. Number shows shared papers.
Related conditions
Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.
Disease profile
A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.
Overview
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor with glandular organization. In the supplied grounding, it appears as a broad cancer category that includes common site-specific adenocarcinomas such as gastric, pancreatic, oesophageal, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
Pathophysiology
The grounding supports a cancer biology framework involving altered gene expression regulation, signal transduction, the tumor microenvironment, and genomic changes. It also highlights biomarker-related pathways and proteins such as HER2/ErbB receptors, PD-L1/B7-H1, ALK, trkB, claudins, microRNAs, and prostate-specific antigen in the study of adenocarcinoma subtypes.
Current standard of care
Treatment is described at the modality level as surgery, chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, systemic therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy depending on site and stage. The grounding specifically mentions fluorouracil, paclitaxel, cisplatin, carboplatin, gemcitabine, irinotecan, crizotinib, apalutamide, trastuzumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies as therapies studied in adenocarcinoma contexts.
AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.
Reference
Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.
Defined in MeSH
A malignant epithelial tumor with a glandular organization.
Identifiers
References & data sources
- Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
- Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
- Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.