Roles of circular RNAs in the pathogenesis and treatment of pancreatic cancer

Takahiro Seimiya; Motoyuki Otsuka; Mitsuhiro Fujishiro

doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.1023332

Roles of circular RNAs in the pathogenesis and treatment of pancreatic cancer

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 Nov 17:10:1023332. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1023332. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Takahiro Seimiya¹, Motoyuki Otsuka¹, Mitsuhiro Fujishiro¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

Circular RNAs are single-stranded RNAs with a covalently closed structure formed by the process of back-splicing. Aberrant expression of circular RNAs contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide range of cancers. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers due to diagnostic difficulties and limited therapeutic options. Circular RNAs are emerging as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer. Moreover, recent advances in the therapeutic application of engineered circular RNAs have provided a promising approach to overcoming pancreatic cancer. This review discusses the roles of circular RNAs in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer and in potential treatment applications and their usefulness as diagnostic biomarkers.

Keywords: biomarker; circRNA; circular RNA; pancreatic cancer; treatment.

Publication types

Review