A novel network of tumorigenic prognostic factors is identified that plays a critical role in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis. This interactome is interconnected through a central tumor suppressive microRNA, miR-198, which is able to both directly and indirectly modulate expression of the various members of this network to alter the molecular makeup of pancreatic tumors, with important clinical implications. When this tumor signature network is intact, miR-198 expression is reduced and patient survival is dismal; patients with higher miR-198 present an altered tumor signature network, better prognosis and increased survival. Further, according to the present disclosure, MiR-198 replacement reverses tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. As such, an embodiment of the disclosure is a method of treating cancer in an individual, comprising the step of increasing the level of active microRNA-198 molecules in the pancreatic cancer tumor cells of the individual by an amount sufficient to cause an improvement in the pancreatic cancer in the individual.