Unlocking Serum lncRNA Signatures: GAS5 and HULC as Diagnostic Tools in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal types of cancer, largely because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and lacks dependable markers for early detection. Discovering molecular indicators that can predict disease presence is essential for earlier diagnosis, better risk assessment, and ultimately improving survival rates. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in cancer biology, acting either to promote or suppress tumor development by influencing fundamental processes such as cell growth, death, and spread. Because of their abnormal expression patterns in tumors and their presence in both tissues and bodily fluids, lncRNAs are gaining attention as potential diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets. In this study, RNA was extracted from serum samples and converted into cDNA. The expression of two specific lncRNAs (GAS5 and HULC), along with their related genes (PTEN and AKT), was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. All values were normalized against an internal reference gene. Results indicated significantly elevated HULC and reduced GAS5 expression in cancer samples compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). These markers demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with GAS5 showing 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and HULC showing 75% sensitivity and 95% specificity. These findings highlight the promise of these lncRNAs in both detecting pancreatic cancer and serving as potential targets for therapy. Future treatment approaches may benefit from incorporating these molecular markers into clinical strategies.