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Updated: May 11, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Role of microRNA deregulation in breast cancer cell chemoresistance and stemness
1Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orhanli-Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Studies with breast cancer cells, showed that microRNAs (miRNAs) act as regulators of signaling pathways playing a key role in tumor progression and being targeted in chemotherapy. Deregulation of these pathways by altered miRNA expression or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in certain miRNA genes have been shown to lead tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. miRNAs have also been indicated to act on stem cell selfrenewal and alter signal transduction in cancer stem-like cells (CSC), which are resistant to many conventional therapies and account for the inability of these therapies to cure cancers. By considering these findings, miRNAs are proposed as potential novel biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets in new anti-cancer strategies. In this review, the miRNAs found to be involved in breast cancer chemoresistance will be covered together with breast CSC and their contribution to chemotherapy resistance.
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.
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