MiR-487a-3p suppresses the malignant development of pancreatic cancer by targeting SMAD7

Abstract Objective To uncover the role of microRNA-487a-3p (miR-487a-3p) in influencing the malignant development of pancreatic cancer and the involvement of its downstream target SMAD7. Methods MiR-487a-3p level in 40 pancreatic cancer and paracancerous tissues was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between miR-487a-3p level and clinical indicators in pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed. Regulatory effects of miR-487a-3p on biological phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells were assessed. At last, the involvement of miR-487a-3p and its downstream target SMAD7 in pancreatic cancer was determined. Results MiR-487a-3p was lowly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. Pancreatic cancer patients expressing a low level of miR-487a-3p suffered high metastasis rate and poor prognosis. Overexpression of miR-487a-3p markedly attenuated proliferative and migratory capacities in pancreatic cancer cells. SMAD7 was the downstream target of miR-487a-3p, which was highly expressed in pancreatic cancer samples. Overexpression of SMAD7 reversed the regulatory effects of miR-487a-3p on pancreatic cancer cell phenotypes. Conclusions MiR-487a-3p is downregulated in pancreatic cancer samples, which is linked to metastasis and prognosis in pancreatic cancer. It inhibits the malignant development of pancreatic cancer by negatively regulating SMAD7.