microRNAs as Therapeutic Targets in Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: A Mini Review - Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA) are potent targets for cancer therapy. Altered miRNA expression is commonly associated with cancer stem cells and EMT (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) phenotypes which are hallmarks of tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. These non-coding RNAs bind to the 3? UTR of target mRNAs and degrade them or inhibit their translation; they are potent diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic molecules. Although some miRNAs can prevent tumor growth, some others can promote cancer. For cancer treatment, tumor suppressor miRNAs should be up-regulated whereas oncomirs should be down-regulated. Furthermore, studies show that nature-derived components such as oridonin, curcumin, isoflavone, I3C, DIM, EGCG, and resveratrol can target several miRNAs simultaneously and inhibit cancer growth, induce apoptosis, reverse EMT to MET phenotypes, and eliminate CSCs or EMT phenotypic cells (which cause tumor recurrence and resistance to different conventional therapies). This mini review will discuss the list of nature-derived components which improve the overall survival of cancer patients.