2 molecules may help slow pancreatic cancer growth

Pancreatic cancer cells have an impressive ability to grow, but a new study at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences suggests that two naturally occurring molecules may help slow their growth. The researchers discovered that increasing levels of two microRNAs, miR-15a and miR-16, reduced protein synthesis and slowed the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells.

Patients with higher levels of these microRNAs in their tumors tended to live longer, suggesting potential as targets for new pancreatic cancer treatments. MicroRNAs are short genetic material strands that regulate protein production inside cells, acting like brakes on a car. When levels of miR-15a and miR-16 decrease, as observed in pancreatic cancer, that braking effect may be diminished, leading the team to explore what happens when these microRNAs are reintroduced.

By increasing miR-15a and miR-16 in cultured pancreatic cancer cells, the researchers reduced both protein synthesis and cell proliferation. This study expands on previous research, examining how these microRNAs influence protein production and cell growth in pancreatic cancer. The researchers also identified the biological processes impacted by the two microRNAs, highlighting their broad influence on cancer-related pathways.

The team found that miR-15a and miR-16 levels were lower in pancreatic tumors compared to healthy tissue, and lower in samples from patients with pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition. Pancreatic cancer patients with higher miR-15a and miR-16 expression also had better survival outcomes. Turning miR-15a and miR-16 into a treatment requires finding a way to deliver them specifically to cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.

The researchers aim to develop a delivery method for restoring these microRNAs exclusively in cancer cells. While these microRNAs could be part of a combination treatment, they are not expected to be a standalone cure for pancreatic cancer.