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Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models
Published on: December 9, 2016
Noncoding RNAs in drug-resistant pancreatic cancer: A review
Zhengjun Lin1, Shiyao Lu1, Xubin Xie1
1Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, China.
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is expected to be the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Europe and the United States by 2030. The high fatality rate of pancreatic cancer is ascribed to untimely diagnosis, early metastasis and limited responses to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and some other drugs can profoundly improve patient prognosis, most pancreatic cancer patients eventually develop drug resistance, leading to poor clinical outcomes. The underlying mechanisms of pancreatic cancer drug resistance are complicated and inconclusive. Interestingly, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that different noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a crucial role in pancreatic cancer resistance to chemotherapy reagents. In this paper, we systematically summarize the molecular mechanism underlying the influence of ncRNAs on the generation and development of drug resistance in pancreatic cancer and discuss the potential role of ncRNAs as prognostic markers and new therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
Insights
Pancreatic cancer drug resistance is a major challenge. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), significantly influence this resistance and may offer new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, with high fatality due to late diagnosis and treatment resistance.
- Current treatments like gemcitabine show limited long-term efficacy as most patients develop resistance.
- The mechanisms driving pancreatic cancer drug resistance are complex and not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the molecular mechanisms of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) involvement in pancreatic cancer drug resistance.
- To explore the potential of ncRNAs as prognostic markers for pancreatic cancer.
- To discuss ncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets for overcoming drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and systematic analysis of existing research on ncRNAs and pancreatic cancer.
- Examination of molecular pathways through which ncRNAs mediate chemotherapy resistance.
- Synthesis of data on the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of specific ncRNAs.
Main Results:
- Noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a critical role in the development of pancreatic cancer drug resistance.
- Specific ncRNAs have been identified that influence sensitivity to chemotherapy agents like gemcitabine.
- Evidence suggests ncRNAs are implicated in the progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.
Conclusions:
- Noncoding RNAs are key regulators of pancreatic cancer chemotherapy resistance.
- ncRNAs hold significant promise as biomarkers for predicting patient prognosis.
- Targeting ncRNAs represents a potential new strategy for improving pancreatic cancer treatment outcomes.
