Inducing MiR-137 Offers Protection in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer, the molecular mechanisms that cause this cancer to develop has now been a recent breakthrough by two research teams, including one at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont (CIUSSS-EST, Montreal) and University of Montreal.

This //biomedical research conducted jointly by the groups of Dr. Fredrick Antoine Mallette and Dr. Stephane Richard (McGill University / Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research) has shown that pancreatic tumors often lose the ability to express a small ribonucleic acid molecule called miR-137. This molecule induces a defence mechanism called cellular senescence, which keeps cancer cells in check. The loss of miR-137 works in conjunction with various mutations frequently observed in pancreatic tumours to trigger uncontrolled cell growth and then cancer.

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‘Restoring normal miR-137 (a ribonucleic acid), in pancreatic cancer cells has a protective effect, as it induces the defense mechanism and stops the cells from spreading.’

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"It is essential that we better understand the mechanisms that lead to the loss of miR-137 expression. Once we do, we can create therapeutic strategies to treat and prevent pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Fredrick Antoine Mallette.

This joint research study by doctoral student Mathieu Neault has also demonstrated that restoring normal miR-137 levels in pancreatic cancer cells has a protective effect, as doing so induces senescence and stops the cells from spreading.

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