Other cancer drug treatments include targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Targeted therapy targets specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading, while immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
In Australia, as of March 2026, only one targeted therapy drug (olaparib) is approved for use for pancreatic cancer. It is only suitable for a small number of people. This drug has been shown to provide some benefit for people with metastatic pancreatic cancer who have the BRCA gene changes.
Your doctors will be able to provide the latest information about its availability. So far, no other targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs have been found to be effective in pancreatic cancer, but research is continuing. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is an option for you.
Learn more about targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
→ READ MORE: How palliative care can help
Podcast: Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: What is immunotherapy?
Watch this short video to learn more about drug therapies, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy (Open Settings 
to turn on auto-generated subtitles in your language).
More resources
Prof Lorraine Chantrill, Honorary Clinical Professor, University of Wollongong, and Head of Department, Medical Oncology, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Prof Lorraine Chantrill (see above); Karen Baker, Consumer; Michelle Denham, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Anthony J Gill, Surgical Pathologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and The University of Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Koroush Haghighi, Liver, Pancreas and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Prince of Wales and St Vincent’s Hospitals, NSW; Dr Meredith Johnston, Radiation Oncologist, Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals, NSW; Dr Brett Knowles, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and General Surgeon, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and St Vincent’s Hospital, VIC; Rachael Mackie, Upper GI – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Jennifer Philip, Chair of Palliative Care, University of Melbourne, and Palliative Medicine Physician, St Vincent’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Lucy Pollerd, Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rose Rocca, Senior Clinical Dietitian – Upper GI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
