%0 Journal Article
%T Dysregulation of the circ_0087502/miR-1179/TGFBR2 pathway supports gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.
%A Chen M
%A Liu X
%A Lu J
%A Teng H
%A Yu C
%A Liu Y
%A Zheng Y
%J Cancer Biol Ther
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2023 12 31
%M 37844011
%F 4.875
%R 10.1080/15384047.2023.2258566
%X Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a cohort of non-coding RNAs generated by back-splicing events. Accumulating evidence supports the crucial role of circRNAs in human tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. However, the role and mechanism of circRNA circ_0087502 in pancreatic cancer are yet unknown.<BR>The expression and function of circ_0087502 in pancreatic cancer were investigated using qRT-PCR and cell experiments. The predicted binding between circ_0087502 and microRNA-1179 (miR-1179), and between miR-1179 and TGFBR2, were examined using reporter assays.<BR>Pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines were discovered to express circ_0087502 at higher levels. Patients with pancreatic cancer who express circ_0087502 at high levels have a worse prognosis. In addition, circ_0087502 knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and made them more sensitive to gemcitabine treatment. We found that circ_0087502 worked as a sponge for miR-1179, allowing miR-1179 to bind to the critical oncogene TGFBR2 in its 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Pancreatic cancer cells were highly resistant to gemcitabine and had increased proliferation, migration, and invasion when miR-1179 was inhibited or overexpressed.<BR>These results confirm that circ_0087502 activates the miR-1179/TGFBR2 axis to promote gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Thus, our data might lay the groundwork for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting circ_0087502 in pancreatic cancer patients.