Inhibition of NOTCH1 signaling by MicroRNA for targeting cancer stem cell and tumor microenvironment

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers with extremely poor survival rates with an average patient survival of 6 months and represents an unmet therapeutic challenge. The progress and mechanisms of pancreatic cancer are still not fully understood. Strategies targeting tumor cells alone have been shown to fail to eliminate pancreatic cancer cells and prevent metastasis, drug resistance, and patient deaths. Cancer stem cells have important clinical effects due to cell migration / invasion, drug resistance and metastasis. NOTCH and related signaling pathways exhibit high / increased activity in cancer stem cells; it is known to be important for the maintenance and survival of these cells. The functional role of NOTCH1 in the regulation of pancreatic cancer stem cells remains unclear. In the planned study, a miRNA based treatment model targeting NOTCH1 was applied with non-toxic nanoliposome technology used in the clinic. By targeting NOTCH1, it was observed that cancer stem cell properties were suppressed and tumor growth and spread stopped. It can be used effectively as a treatment approach.