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MicroRNAs and cancer: Key paradigms in molecular therapy

Weige Tan1,2, Bodu Liu1, Shaohua Qu1

  • 1Breast Tumor Center and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China.

Oncology Letters
|February 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators in human cancers, acting as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. This review examines their roles in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
  • miRNAs function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes across various human cancers.
  • miRNA profiling is vital for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of miRNAs in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
  • To examine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of miRNAs as biomarkers.
  • To discuss the therapeutic applications of targeting miRNAs in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on miRNAs in cancer.
  • Analysis of high-throughput studies on miRNA profiling.
  • Examination of miRNA roles in different cancer types.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are implicated in the development and progression of multiple cancers.
  • Specific miRNAs show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
  • miRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs play significant roles in cancer pathogenesis.
  • Targeting miRNAs offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Further research into miRNA-based therapies is warranted.
Keywords:
cancer stem cellsepithelial mesenchymal transitionmicroRNAstreatment

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