Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	122906
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Minireviews
Article Title	Research advances in targeting claudin 18.2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yu-Han Wei, Shun-Chao Zhang, Bing-Jie Guan, Jia-Ning Jian, Chun-Guang Li, Ze-Kun Wang, Hao-Ran Qu, Zhi-Gang Li, Meng-Ya Liu and Jun-Tao Wang
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number TCM Scientific Research Special Project of Henan Province No. 2024ZY2100 TCM Scientific Research Special Project of Henan Province 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 Zhongjing Three Distinguished Talents Project Zhongjing Young Distinguished Physician, Document[2025] No. 116
Corresponding Author	Jun-Tao Wang, MD, 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
Key Words	Claudin 18.2; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; Targeted therapy; Research progress; Treatment
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.
Citation	Wei YH, Zhang SC, Guan BJ, Jian JN, Li CG, Wang ZK, Qu HR, Li ZG, Liu MY, Wang JT. Research advances in targeting claudin 18.2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2026-05-06 07:29
Peer-Review Started	2026-05-06 07:29
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-06 02:57
Revised	2026-07-18 09:10
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-07-24 04:11
Second Decision by Editor	2026-08-26 02:52
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-08-26 08:37
Articles in Press	2026-08-26 08:37
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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