Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

552

The role of miRNAs in cancer: from pathogenesis to therapeutic implications

Mehmet Seven1, Omer Faruk Karatas, Mehmet Bugrahan Duz

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey.

Future Oncology (London, England)
|June 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in human cancer development. This review summarizes their functions in oncogenesis, covering genetic and epigenetic alterations during cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality despite advancements in detection and diagnosis.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the carcinogenesis of various tumors, with altered expression observed in diverse sample types.
  • miRNAs regulate over 60% of human genes, representing the most prevalent form of post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current literature on the functions of miRNAs in human carcinogenesis.
  • To elucidate the roles of miRNAs in oncogenesis, including genetic and epigenetic modifications.
  • To summarize miRNA involvement across all stages of cancer development: initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies investigating miRNA expression and function in cancer.
  • Synthesis of findings related to genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of miRNA-mediated carcinogenesis.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are integral to the complex processes of human carcinogenesis.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of various cancer types.
  • miRNAs influence oncogenesis through modulation of gene expression via genetic and epigenetic pathways.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are critical regulators in human cancer development.
  • Understanding miRNA functions provides insights into cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
  • miRNAs represent potential targets for future cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Keywords:
cancerdiagnostic and prognostic biomarkersmiRNAsoncogenestumor suppressor

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