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Published on: May 21, 2019

Cancerous miRNAs and their regulation

Xu-Bao Shi1, Clifford G Tepper, Ralph W deVere White

  • 1Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817, USA.

Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|May 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators in development and cancer. Aberrant miRNA expression drives tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance, making them promising cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression, impacting cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is linked to various human cancers, where they can act as proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recently identified cancer-associated miRNAs and their roles in human cancer pathogenesis.
  • To discuss the regulatory mechanisms of these miRNAs, including key transcription factors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on cancer-associated miRNAs.
  • Analysis of miRNA roles in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
  • Examination of signaling pathways and transcription factors (Myc, p53, androgen receptor) regulating miRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Cancer-associated miRNAs are implicated in uncontrolled proliferation, survival, inhibited differentiation, and invasive behavior.
  • Deregulation of specific miRNAs contributes significantly to tumor initiation and progression.
  • These miRNAs influence metastasis and therapy resistance, highlighting their clinical relevance.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer-associated miRNAs are pivotal in human cancer development and progression.
  • They represent valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Targeting these miRNAs offers a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

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