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MicroRNAs: cobblestones on the road to cancer metastasis

Valentina Profumo1, Paolo Gandellini

  • 1Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy.

Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
|April 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) significantly contribute to cancer metastasis, influencing tumor cell detachment, invasion, migration, and colonization. Further research is needed to develop miRNA-based therapies for metastatic cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis is a complex, multistep process involving tumor cell detachment, invasion, migration, and colonization.
  • Protein-coding genes are known drivers of metastasis, but microRNAs (miRNAs) also play a crucial role through genetic and epigenetic alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of specific microRNAs in each phase of cancer metastasis, from primary tumor escape to distant organ colonization.
  • To discuss challenges and opportunities for developing microRNA-based therapies for metastatic disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the molecular mechanisms of cancer metastasis.
  • Analysis of the involvement of microRNAs in tumor dissemination.
  • Discussion of clinical translation hurdles for microRNA therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • Specific microRNAs are implicated in regulating tumor cell detachment, stromal invasion, long-distance migration, and colonization of distant organs.
  • Genetic and epigenetic alterations of miRNAs are key contributors to the metastatic cascade.
  • Significant conceptual and technological challenges remain for clinical application of miRNA-based therapies.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are critical regulators of cancer metastasis and represent potential therapeutic targets.
  • Further investigation is required to overcome barriers to clinical implementation of miRNA-based strategies for preventing and treating metastatic cancer.

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