title: MicroRNA in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: predictive/prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets?
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.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Oronzo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reni
authors.affiliation: AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bittoni
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azzariti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aprile
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delcuratolo
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Signorile
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital of Taranto, Taranto, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gnoni
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.affiliation: AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascinu
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silvestris
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: biomarkers; miRNAs; pancreatic adenocarcinoma; prognosis; therapy