•Both miRNA and lncRNA expression is dysregulated in pancreatic cancer.•Altered miRNA and lncRNA expression is related to pancreatic cancer progression.•miRNAs and lncRNAs affect tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and signaling pathways.•miRNAs and lncRNAs are prospective theragnostic targets for pancreatic cancer.•Further studies are required to boost the development of ncRNA-based therapeutics.