Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

20.8K

Roles for miRNAs in endocrine resistance in breast cancer

Penn Muluhngwi1, Carolyn M Klinge2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular GeneticsCenter for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.

Endocrine-Related Cancer
|September 9, 2015
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Understanding how these small RNAs disrupt antiestrogen therapies is key to developing new treatments for metastatic disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-targeted therapies like tamoxifen, fulvestrant, and letrozole are effective for ERα-positive breast cancer.
  • Acquired resistance limits the long-term efficacy of these endocrine therapies.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in the development of endocrine resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review examines the role of miRNAs in acquired resistance to antiestrogen therapies in breast cancer.
  • It identifies specific miRNAs that disrupt endocrine therapy effectiveness.
  • The review also explores the gene targets and pathways influenced by these miRNAs in promoting resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating miRNAs in endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
  • Analysis of miRNA-gene interactions and their impact on estrogen receptor signaling.
  • Identification of pathways associated with miRNA-mediated endocrine resistance.

Main Results:

  • Several miRNAs have been identified as key players in promoting resistance to tamoxifen, fulvestrant, and letrozole.
  • These miRNAs target bona fide genes involved in estrogen signaling and resistance pathways.
  • Dysregulation of specific miRNAs contributes to the progression of endocrine-resistant breast cancer.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are critical regulators in the development of endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
  • Targeting specific miRNAs or their pathways presents a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance.
  • Further research into miRNA biomarkers and therapeutics is warranted for metastatic breast cancer.
Keywords:
antiestrogenaromatase inhibitorbreast cancerendocrine-resistanceestrogen receptormiRNAtamoxifen

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization06:01

Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization

Published on: June 7, 2016

7.2K

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...
4.3K
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...
24.7K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

12.1K
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...
5.1K
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR...
3.0K