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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2026; 32(45): 122906
Published online Dec 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.122906
Published online Dec 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.122906
Research advances in targeting claudin 18.2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment
Yu-Han Wei, School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
Shun-Chao Zhang, School of Management, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
Bing-Jie Guan, Jia-Ning Jian, Chun-Guang Li, Ze-Kun Wang, Hao-Ran Qu, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
Bing-Jie Guan, Chun-Guang Li, Ze-Kun Wang, Hao-Ran Qu, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan Province, China
Jia-Ning Jian, Meng-Ya Liu, Jun-Tao Wang, Department of Oncology, Ward 2, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, China
Zhi-Gang Li, Department of Oncology, Ward 1, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450004, Henan Province, China
Jun-Tao Wang, Department of Education and Scientific Research, The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zheng
Co-first authors: Yu-Han Wei and Shun-Chao Zhang.
Co-corresponding authors: Meng-Ya Liu and Jun-Tao Wang.
Author contributions: Wei YH, Zhang SC and Guan BJ contributed to conceptualization, methodology, writing original draft, Wei YH and Zhang SC are co-first authors; Jian JN and Li CG contributed to formal analysis, data curation, visualization, writing review and editing; Wang ZK, Qu HR and Li ZG contributed to supervision, funding acquisition, writing review and editing; Liu MY and Wang JT contributed to investigation, project administration, resources, supervision, validation, writing review and editing, Liu MY and Wang JT are co-corresponding authors.
AI contribution statement: The authors declare that no AI tools were used in any part of the manuscript preparation process, including but not limited to manuscript writing, text editing, data collection, data analysis, and the preparation of images or graphical elements. All content of the manuscript was independently completed by the authors, who are fully responsible for the authenticity, accuracy, and integrity of all information presented in the paper.
Supported by the TCM Scientific Research Special Project of Henan Province, No. 2024ZY2100 and No. 2022ZY2046; Henan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Special Program Collaborative Project, No. 2025 LHZX3001; National Construction Project for TCM Master’s Heritage Workshop, Letter[2022], No. 245; Henan Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases by Chinese and Western Medicine, Letter[2023], No. 413; National Cultivation Centers for Priority Specialties of TCM, Letter[2024], No. 90; Henan TCM Qingmiao Young Talents Cultivation Program, Letter[2024], No. 4; and the Zhongjing Three Distinguished Talents Project Zhongjing Young Distinguished Physician, Document[2025], No. 116.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Jun-Tao Wang, MD, Doctor, Department of Oncology, Ward 2, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 63 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, China. wjuntao@yeah.net
Received: May 6, 2026
Revised: July 18, 2026
Accepted: August 26, 2026
Published online: December 7, 2026
Processing time: 167 Days and 11.7 Hours
Revised: July 18, 2026
Accepted: August 26, 2026
Published online: December 7, 2026
Processing time: 167 Days and 11.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and represents a promising therapeutic target. This review summarizes current evidence on CLDN18.2-directed therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor-T cells, bispecific antibodies, and other emerging strategies. We also outline unique challenges specific to CLDN18.2-positive PDAC, such as an abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts, a profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment, and intratumoral antigen heterogeneity. At present, this field remains in its preliminary stage, with most available data derived from small-scale clinical studies or extrapolated from gastric cancer research. Further PDAC-tailored preclinical and clinical investigations are urgently needed.