Reviews:
MicroRNA in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: predictive/prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets?
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Abstract
Oronzo Brunetti1, Antonio Russo2, Aldo Scarpa3, Daniele Santini4, Michele Reni5, Alessandro Bittoni6, Amalia Azzariti7, Giuseppe Aprile8, Sabina Delcuratolo1, Michele Signorile1, Antonio Gnoni9, Loredana Palermo1, Vito Lorusso1, Stefano Cascinu6, Nicola Silvestris1
1Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
2Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
3Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
4Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
5Department of Medical Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
6AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
7Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
8Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
9Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
Correspondence to:
Nicola Silvestris, e-mail: [email protected]
Keywords: miRNAs, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, prognosis, biomarkers, therapy
Received: April 14, 2015 Accepted: July 03, 2015 Published: July 16, 2015
ABSTRACT
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a tumor with a poor prognosis, short overall survival and few chemotherapeutic choices. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, single-stranded RNAs of around 22 nucleotides involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis. They have been studied in many tumors in order to identify potential diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic targets. In the current literature, many studies have analyzed the role of miRNAs in PDAC. In fact, the absence of appropriate biomarkers, the difficultly of early detection of this tumor, and the lack of effective chemotherapy in patients with unresectable disease have focused attention on miRNAs as new, interesting advance in this malignancy.
In this review we analyzed the role of miRNAs in PDAC in order to understand the mechanisms of action and the difference between the onco-miRNA and the tumor suppressor miRNA. We also reviewed all the data related to the use of these molecules as predictive as well as prognostic biomarkers in the course of the disease.
Finally, the possible therapeutic use of miRNAs or anti-miRNAs in PDAC is also discussed.
In conclusion, although there is still no clinical application for these molecules in PDAC, it is our opinion that the preclinical evidence of the role of specific miRNAs in carcinogenesis, the possibility of using miRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, and their potential therapeutic role, warrant future studies in PDAC.
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