Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
15:04
Potentiation of Anticancer Antibody Efficacy by Antineoplastic Drugs: Detection of Antibody-drug Synergism Using the Combination Index Equation
Published on: January 19, 2019
Anti-oncomir suppression of tumor phenotypes
Andrei Goga1, Christopher Benz
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. andrei.goga@ucsf.edu
Molecular Interventions
|September 11, 2007
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression and can impact tumor development. Certain miRNAs, termed "anti-oncomirs," inhibit oncogenes and show therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
- miRNAs play a crucial role in cellular processes, including the modulation of tumor formation and progression.
- Dysregulation of miRNA expression is frequently observed in various cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of specific miRNAs in regulating oncogene and tumor suppressor expression.
- To identify and characterize miRNAs that function as tumor suppressors.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of miRNAs as novel anti-cancer agents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression patterns in different tumor phenotypes.
- Identification of miRNA-mRNA interactions involving oncogenes.
- Functional studies to assess the impact of miRNA modulation on tumor growth.
Main Results:
- A subset of miRNAs showed inverse correlation with specific tumor phenotypes, suggesting tumor-suppressive roles.
- Specific pairs of oncogenes and their corresponding miRNAs (anti-oncomirs) were identified.
- These anti-oncomirs demonstrated the ability to attenuate oncogene function.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are key regulators in cancer development and maintenance.
- Anti-oncomirs represent a novel class of endogenous tumor suppressors.
- Targeting oncogenic pathways with anti-oncomirs holds promise for future cancer therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...