Role of microRNA deregulation in breast cancer cell chemoresistance and stemness

T A Tekiner1, H Basaga

  • 1Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orhanli-Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey.

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate key pathways in breast cancer progression and chemoresistance. Targeting these miRNAs and cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) offers new therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for improved anti-cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of signaling pathways involved in breast cancer progression.
  • Altered miRNA expression and genetic variations (SNPs) in miRNA genes contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance.
  • miRNAs influence cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are inherently resistant to conventional therapies and impede cancer cure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in breast cancer chemoresistance.
  • To discuss the involvement of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) in chemotherapy resistance.
  • To highlight miRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for novel anti-cancer strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microRNAs and breast cancer.
  • Analysis of research on miRNA deregulation and its impact on tumor signaling pathways.
  • Examination of the role of miRNAs in cancer stem cell self-renewal and signal transduction.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are key regulators of signaling pathways critical for tumor progression.
  • miRNA deregulation, including SNPs, drives tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance.
  • miRNAs impact CSCs, contributing to therapy resistance and incomplete cancer eradication.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are implicated in breast cancer chemoresistance.
  • Breast CSCs play a significant role in the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy.
  • miRNAs represent promising novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for developing advanced anti-cancer therapies.

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...