MicroRNA expression profiling signatures to separate chronic inflammation from Pancreatic Cancer. Preliminary results

Background and Aims: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a persistent inflammation of the pancreas that results in permanent structural damage with fibrosis and ductal strictures, followed by a decline in exocrine and endocrine function, and debilitating pain as the main symptom. Patients are also at increased risk for pancreatic cancer (PC), a disease well known for its poor prognosis. However, the early diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and the separation from PC can be quite challenging, particularly in the background of chronic pancreatitis. It has been reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly found and ap…