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MicroRNAs and cancer: towards a personalized medicine

M Fabbri1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Mailstop #57, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. mfabbri@chla.usc.edu

Current Molecular Medicine
|May 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in cancer development and can be detected in body fluids for diagnosis. Modulating miRNA expression shows promise for developing personalized anti-cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in cancer, influencing carcinogenesis by controlling oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
  • Assigning miRNAs solely as oncogenes or tumor suppressors is an oversimplification of their complex roles.
  • miRNAs are detectable in human body fluids, offering potential for cancer diagnostics and prognostics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review findings supporting the use of microRNAs as personalized anti-cancer agents.
  • To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic value of miRNAs in oncology.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of modulating miRNA expression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microRNA dysregulation in cancer.
  • Analysis of research on miRNA detection in body fluids for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Examination of studies utilizing miRNA mimics and silencing molecules for therapeutic modulation.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs play a dual role, regulating both oncogenes and tumor suppressors in carcinogenesis.
  • Detection of miRNAs in biofluids aids in cancer diagnosis, outcome prediction, and treatment response assessment.
  • miRNA modulation through mimics and silencing agents demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in preclinical models.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are crucial regulators in cancer, with complex roles beyond simple oncogene or tumor suppressor functions.
  • miRNAs hold significant potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Targeted modulation of miRNA expression represents a promising strategy for developing personalized anti-cancer therapies.

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