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MicroRNAs as regulators of apoptosis mechanisms in cancer

Valentina Pileczki1, Roxana Cojocneanu-Petric2, Mahafarin Maralani3

  • 1The Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Clujul Medical (1957)
|March 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are crucial in cancer development, affecting processes like apoptosis. These small RNAs show potential as future cancer therapeutics due to their role in treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a significant role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
  • miRNAs are implicated in various biological processes, including cancer development, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function of miRNAs in the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment, focusing on their role in overcoming treatment resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on miRNA function in cancer.
  • Analysis of miRNA involvement in apoptosis pathways.
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies involving miRNAs.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are key regulators of apoptosis, influencing both intrinsic and extrinsic cell death pathways.
  • Dysregulation of apoptosis-regulating miRNAs contributes to cancer cell survival and resistance to therapy.
  • Specific miRNAs demonstrate potential for targeted cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are critical players in cancer biology, particularly in regulating apoptosis and mediating treatment resistance.
  • Targeting miRNAs offers a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies aimed at enhancing apoptosis and overcoming drug resistance.
Keywords:
apoptosiscancercancer therapymicroRNAs

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