Non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer: challenges and opportunities for clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a dismal prognosis for which new therapeutic strategies are desperately needed. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), may yield new therapeutic concepts for the treatment of PDAC. A vast number of miRNAs, including the well-studied miR-21, miR-155 and miR-34, has been shown to regulate PDAC growth, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by targeting members of key signaling pathways. In addition, other miRNAs and lncRNAs, such as HOTTIP and MALAT-1, have been shown to influence the malignant behavior of PDAC cells.

METHODS: Here, we discuss several ncRNAs that may be used either as new therapeutic agents or as targets of new therapeutic agents. Furthermore, we discuss the problem of proper delivery of nucleotide-based agents and novel methods that may be used to circumvent this problem.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of reports addressing the role of ncRNAs in PDAC virtually grows by the day, there are still many steps to be taken before the application of ncRNA-based therapies will become reality in clinical practice.