Research progression in the regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs in growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Most tumors are discovered late in the tumorigenic process with over 80% of patients ineligible for surgical resection, resulting in very low rates (<5%) of five-year survival of pancreatic cancer patients. In the recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have drawn great attention since they regulate almost all the aspects of cell biological behaviors, and regulate the progression and metastases of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, the present article aims to review latest advances in the underlying molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in pancreatic cancer. In this review, we have discussed the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and cancer stem cells. Key words: Long non-coding RNA; Pancreatic cancer; Metastasis