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MicroRNA Deregulations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Dan Chen1, Robert J Cabay2, Yi Jin3
1Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, Illinois USA. ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou, Guangdong China.
Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Research
|January 15, 2014
Summary
MicroRNA deregulation is a significant factor in head and neck/oral cancer (HNOC) development. This review highlights key microRNAs involved in HNOC initiation and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Head and neck/oral cancer (HNOC), primarily head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is a global health concern.
- Genomic alterations are crucial in HNOC, but research often overlooks non-coding genes like microRNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on genomic aberrations of non-coding genes, specifically microRNAs, in HNOC.
- To understand the role of microRNA deregulation in the initiation and progression of HNOC.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
- Searches focused on microRNAs and their deregulation in HNSCC and oral cavity carcinogenesis.
- Inclusion criteria were full-length English articles.
Main Results:
- A panel of consistently deregulated microRNAs in HNSCC was identified, including upregulated (miR-21, miR-7, miR-155, miR-130b, miR-223, miR-34b) and downregulated (miR-100, miR-99a, miR-125b, miR-375) examples.
- The review discusses the functional significance of these and other relevant microRNAs (e.g., miR-138, miR-98, miR-137, miR-193a, miR-218) in HNSCC.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA deregulation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of head and neck/oral cancer.
- Further research into microRNA functions can offer new therapeutic strategies for HNOC.
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