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RNAi-mediated knockdown of target genes: a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer research

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 14, pages 677–685 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a very poor prognosis, partially due to its very low accessibility to resection and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. As such, it is reasonable to find more effective, specific therapies and the related therapeutic targets. The identification of certain genes contributing to the tumorigenesis and poor prognosis provides the specific targets for efficient silencing by RNA interference (RNAi). As a powerful tool to suppress gene expression in mammalian cells, RNAi can be directed against pancreatic cancer through various pathways, including the inhibition of overexpressed oncogenes, suppression of tumor growth, metastasis and enhancement of apoptosis. In combination with chemoradiotherapy agents, RNAi can also attenuate the chemoradiation resistance of pancreatic cancer. In addition, RNAi has been used to define the ‘loss of function’ of endogenous genes in pancreatic cancer. This review provides a brief introduction to recent developments of RNAi applications in pancreatic cancer studies and suggestions for further exploration. It substantially demonstrates that RNAi holds a promising therapeutic potential as a future treatment for pancreatic cancer.

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Acknowledgements

I thank Ken Mitchell and Becky Mitchell for editing this manuscript. This work was supported by the grants from the Department of Health, Shandong, PR China, (2005ZD03; 2003-34).

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  1. Department of Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital,

    Hong Chang

  2. Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China

    Hong Chang

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Chang, H. RNAi-mediated knockdown of target genes: a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer research. Cancer Gene Ther 14, 677–685 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cgt.7701063

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