Decoding the role of microRNA dysregulation in the interplay of pancreatic cancer and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This study examines the complex relationship between pancreatic cancer (PC) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) by focusing on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and have been implicated in many diseases, including T2D and cancer. To begin, we conducted a literature review to identify miRNAs associated with the PC-T2D link. However, we found limited research on this specific association, with most studies focusing on the antitumor effects of metformin. Furthermore, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to identify new potential miRNAs that might be relevant in the context of PC-T2D. First, we identified miRNAs and gene expression alterations common to both diseases using publicly available datasets. Subsequently, we performed an integrative analysis between the identified miRNAs and genes alterations. As a result, we identified nine miRNAs that could potentially play an important role in the interplay between PC and T2D. These miRNAs have the potential to influence nearby cells and distant tissues, affecting critical processes like extracellular matrix remodeling and cell adhesion, ultimately contributing to the development of T2D or PC. Taken together, these analyses underscore the importance of further exploring the role of miRNAs in the complex interplay of PC and T2D.