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Yuan J, Yan K, Guo Y, Li Y. MicroRNAs: emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1457875. [PMID: 39290995 PMCID: PMC11406015 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1457875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant disease with high aggressiveness and a dismal prognosis, which is challenging to diagnose clinically early and gains low benefit from standard therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have become a hot topic in oncology research. Current evidence indicates that miRNAs are regulators involved in the entire process of PC, providing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this fatal disease. Related research has been rapidly updated, making it necessary to review it to propose new directions and ideas and provide guidance for the development of precision medicine for PC. We reviewed the relevant literature through Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Medline, showing that abnormally expressed miRNAs in PC patients have the potential to be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, highlighting the excellent prospect of combining miRNAs with traditional therapies, and the effective application of these factors for PC, especially miRNA mimics and inhibitors. MiRNAs participate in the entire process of PC and play important roles in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. They are potential factors in conquering PC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Yuan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaiqi Yan
- Department of Materials Engineering and Science, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Silva LGDO, Lemos FFB, Luz MS, Rocha Pinheiro SL, Calmon MDS, Correa Santos GL, Rocha GR, de Melo FF. New avenues for the treatment of immunotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1134-1153. [PMID: 38660642 PMCID: PMC11037047 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by its extremely aggressive nature and ranks 14th in the number of new cancer cases worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it ranks 7th in the list of the most lethal cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of PC involves several complex processes, including familial genetic factors associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, and smoking. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 are linked to the appearance of malignant cells that generate pancreatic lesions and, consequently, cancer. In this context, some therapies are used for PC, one of which is immunotherapy, which is extremely promising in various other types of cancer but has shown little response in the treatment of PC due to various resistance mechanisms that contribute to a drop in immunotherapy efficiency. It is therefore clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has a huge impact on the resistance process, since cellular and non-cellular elements create an immunosuppressive environment, characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma with cancer-associated fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immunosuppressive cells. Linked to this are genetic mutations in TP53 and immunosuppressive factors that act on T cells, resulting in a shortage of CD8+ T cells and limited expression of activation markers such as interferon-gamma. In this way, finding new strategies that make it possible to manipulate resistance mechanisms is necessary. Thus, techniques such as the use of TME modulators that block receptors and stromal molecules that generate resistance, the use of genetic manipulation in specific regions, such as microRNAs, the modulation of extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with T cells, and, above all, therapeutic models that combine these modulation techniques constitute the promising future of PC therapy. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in PC and new ways of manipulating this process, resulting in a more efficient therapy for cancer patients and, consequently, a reduction in the lethality of this aggressive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabian Fellipe Bueno Lemos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcel Silva Luz
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Luca Rocha Pinheiro
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mariana dos Santos Calmon
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lima Correa Santos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Reis Rocha
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
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Bravo-Vázquez LA, Frías-Reid N, Ramos-Delgado AG, Osorio-Pérez SM, Zlotnik-Chávez HR, Pathak S, Banerjee A, Bandyopadhyay A, Duttaroy AK, Paul S. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer: From epigenetics to potential clinical applications. Transl Oncol 2023; 27:101579. [PMID: 36332600 PMCID: PMC9637816 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two relevant classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play a pivotal role in a number of molecular processes through different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. As a matter of fact, the altered expression of these types of RNAs leads to the development and progression of a varied range of multifactorial human diseases. Several recent reports elucidated that miRNA and lncRNAs have been implicated in pancreatic cancer (PC). For instance, dysregulation of such ncRNAs has been found to be associated with chemoresistance, apoptosis, autophagy, cell differentiation, tumor suppression, tumor growth, cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in PC. Moreover, several aberrantly expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs have the potential to be used as biomarkers for accurate PC diagnosis. Additionally, miRNAs and lncRNAs are considered as promising clinical targets for PC. Therefore, in this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence regarding the clinical implications of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the pathophysiology of PC, their future potential, as well as the challenges that have arisen in this field of study in order to drive forward the design of ncRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alberto Bravo-Vázquez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Natalia Frías-Reid
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Ana Gabriela Ramos-Delgado
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Sofía Madeline Osorio-Pérez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Hania Ruth Zlotnik-Chávez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai, India
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai, India
| | - Anindya Bandyopadhyay
- International Rice Research Institute, Manila 4031, Philippines; Reliance Industries Ltd., Navi Mumbai 400701, India
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, POB 1046, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sujay Paul
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro 76130, Mexico.
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Real-World Evidence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment on Cancer: A Literature-Based Review. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7770380. [PMID: 35815277 PMCID: PMC9259235 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7770380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evidence-based medicine, they do not always reflect the real condition of patients in the real-world setting, which limits their generalizability and external validity. Real-world evidence (RWE), generated during routine clinical practice, is increasingly important in determining external effectiveness of the tightly controlled conditions of RCTs and is well recognized as a valuable complement to RCTs by regulatory bodies currently. Since it could provide new ideas and methods for clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and high-quality evidence support, real-world study (RWS) has received great attention in the field of medicine, especially in the field of TCM. RWS has shown desirable adaptability in the clinical diagnosis and treatment practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Consequently, it is increasingly essential for physicians and researchers to understand how RWE can be used alongside clinical trial data on TCM. Here, we discuss what real-world study is and outline the benefits and limitations of real-world study. Furthermore, using examples from TCM treatment on cancer, including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, integrated TCM and Western medicine treatment, and other treatments, we elaborate how RWE can be used to help inform treatment decisions when doctoring patients with cancer in the clinic.
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Pre-Clinical and Clinical Applications of Small Interfering RNAs (siRNA) and Co-Delivery Systems for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123348. [PMID: 34943856 PMCID: PMC8699513 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of death and is the fourth most malignant tumor in men. The epigenetic and genetic alterations appear to be responsible for development of PC. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful genetic tool that can bind to its target and reduce expression level of a specific gene. The various critical genes involved in PC progression can be effectively targeted using diverse siRNAs. Moreover, siRNAs can enhance efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in inhibiting PC progression. However, siRNAs suffer from different off target effects and their degradation by enzymes in serum can diminish their potential in gene silencing. Loading siRNAs on nanoparticles can effectively protect them against degradation and can inhibit off target actions by facilitating targeted delivery. This can lead to enhanced efficacy of siRNAs in PC therapy. Moreover, different kinds of nanoparticles such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles and metal nanostructures have been applied for optimal delivery of siRNAs that are discussed in this article. This review also reveals that how naked siRNAs and their delivery systems can be exploited in treatment of PC and as siRNAs are currently being applied in clinical trials, significant progress can be made by translating the current findings into the clinical settings.
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