Establishment of a 7-miRNA-Based Risk Score System for Predicting Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study developed a prognosis-associated miRNA (PAM)-based risk score system to predict overall survival for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

We screened potential PAMs using bioinformatics technology. A risk score system integrating the PAMs was established, and the predictive value was evaluated. The targets of these PAMs were identified and functional enrichment analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Seven PAMs (hsa-mir-188, hsa-mir-1301, hsa-mir-424, hsa-mir-5010, hsa-mir-584, hsa-mir-5091, and hsa-mir-3613) were identified. We also developed a risk score system, which showed a high Harrell concordance index (C-index, 0.723) for overall survival in the Cancer Genome Atlas data sets. The areas under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve at the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival points were 0.718, 0.832, and 0.903, respectively. In addition, both the C-index and the areas under the curve for recurrence-free survival showed a good outcome, indicating that the system had a satisfactory predictive power. Furthermore, 49 target genes of PAMs were identified. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these targets may be involved in various biological pathways, including the transforming growth factor β signaling pathway, Notch signaling, and downregulation of SMAD2/3.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that the 7-miRNA-based risk score system is a promising prognostic model for pancreatic cancer.