title: Contribution of microRNA analysis to characterisation of pancreatic lesions: a review.
abstract: Pancreatic tumours are usually very aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. A limitation of pancreatic imaging techniques is that lesions are often of ambiguous relevance. The inability to achieve a definitive diagnosis based on cytological evaluation of specimens, due to sampling error, paucicellular samples or coexisting inflammation, might lead to delay in clinical management. Given the morbidity associated with pancreatectomy, a proper selection of patients for surgery is fundamental. Many studies have been conducted in order to identify specific markers that could support the early diagnosis of pancreatic lesions, but, to date, none of them allow to diagnose pancreatic cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs (19-25 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression interacting with mRNA targets. It is now established that each tissue shows a characteristic miRNA expression pattern that could be modified in association with a number of different diseases including neoplasia. Due to their key role in the regulation of gene expression, in the last years several studies have investigated miRNA tissue-specific expression, quantification and functional analysis to understand their peculiar involvement in cellular processes. The aim of this review is to focus on miRNA expression in pancreatic cancer and their putative role in early characterisation of pancreatic lesions.
authors: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Visani
authors: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Giorgia
authors: G
authors: Acquaviva
authors: Operative Unit of Medicine, Budrio Hospital, Budrio, Italy.
authors: Sirio
authors: S
authors: Fiorino
authors: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Cardiology Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Maria Letizia
authors: ML
authors: Bacchi Reggiani
authors: Surgery Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Masetti
authors: Medical Oncology Department, Bellaria Hospital, Azienda USL/ IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Franceschi
authors: Anatomic Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Adele
authors: A
authors: Fornelli
authors: Surgery Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Elio
authors: E
authors: Jovine
authors: Endoscopy Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Fabbri
authors: Medical Oncology Department, Bellaria Hospital, Azienda USL/ IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Alba A
authors: AA
authors: Brandes
authors: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Tallini
authors: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Pession
authors: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: de Biase
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY; MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY; PANCREATIC CANCER