In-silico conditioning of microRNA to identify potential biomarkers from serum for pancreatic cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-22 nucleotide, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules capable of regulating gene expression at both the transcriptional and translational level. miRNAs have shown involvement in carcinogenesis pathways by suppressing oncogenes. Conventional miRNA expression profiling was performed using tumor tissue samples, which quite recently has shifted to serum, opening a new of field of research for non-invasive tumor detection. We conducted a study utilizing serum specimens collected by the Pancreatic Cancer Research Team (PCRT) under an IRB approved protocol. Using an in-silico conditioning of biological samples, we confirmed that from a small amount of serum; comprehensive miRNA expression profiling is feasible and can identify biomarkers. Furthermore, there appear to be coherently expressing serum miRNAs between clinically matched pancreatic cancer patients (early-stage and locally-advanced, unresectable) compared with at-risk healthy individuals.