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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

Causes and consequences of microRNA dysregulation in cancer

Carlo M Croce1

  • 1Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. carlo.croce@osumc.edu

Nature Reviews. Genetics
|September 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Altered microRNA (miRNA) gene expression is key in human cancer development. Understanding these changes offers new avenues for developing effective miRNA-based cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in human cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of altered miRNA gene expression in the pathogenesis of human malignancies.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on miRNA gene alterations in cancer.
  • Analysis of mechanisms leading to miRNA dysregulation, including genetic and epigenetic factors.
  • Examination of the interplay between miRNAs and oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes.

Main Results:

  • Alterations in miRNA gene expression are implicated in the majority of human cancers.
  • Mechanisms of miRNA dysregulation include genetic mutations, copy number variations, and epigenetic modifications.
  • miRNAs are integral to the regulatory networks of protein-coding oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is a hallmark of cancer, driving its pathogenesis.
  • Targeting these dysregulated miRNAs presents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.

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