Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel
08:29

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel

Published on: May 14, 2018

10.7K

[Chemotherapy with paclitaxel leads to microRNA release]

R Maushagen1, R Pries, B Wollenberg

  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

HNO
|October 15, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and chemoresistance. Paclitaxel treatment upregulates MIR222 gene expression, impacting HNSCC chemoresistance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cancer research
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules crucial in biological processes and chemoresistance.
  • Tumor-secreted miRNAs play a role in cancer progression and treatment resistance.
  • The specific miRNAs involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and paclitaxel chemoresistance are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify miRNAs expressed in HNSCC.
  • To elucidate the role of specific miRNAs in paclitaxel chemoresistance in HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • HNSCC cell lines were treated with paclitaxel (10 μM for 48 h).
  • Gene expression changes were analyzed using microarray analysis.
  • Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze specific miRNA expression (miR221*, miR222, miR222*).

Main Results:

  • Paclitaxel treatment led to miRNA release.
  • A significant upregulation of MIR222 gene expression was observed.
  • The regulation of miR222* expression differed between HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA expression, specifically miR221/222, is correlated with cell cycle regulation, carcinogenesis, and chemoresistance.
  • Understanding miRNA mechanisms is vital for developing novel cancer biomarkers.
  • Targeting miRNAs could enhance the efficacy of cancer therapeutics.

More Related Videos

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers06:02

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Published on: February 20, 2017

8.0K
Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel06:44

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel

Published on: September 8, 2017

14.2K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.9K
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
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
4.3K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.6K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.1K