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The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
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The Emerging Role of MicroRNAs and Other Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cachexia

Joana M O Santos1,2, Sara Peixoto da Silva1,2, Rui M Gil da Costa1,3,4,5

  • 1Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.

Cancers
|April 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cachexia, a wasting syndrome, involves inflammation and body mass loss. MicroRNAs (ncRNAs) are key in its development and may serve as biomarkers for early detection and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer cachexia is a severe wasting syndrome linked to systemic inflammation and involuntary body mass loss, affecting a significant portion of cancer patients.
  • This condition contributes substantially to cancer-related mortality and is resistant to conventional nutritional interventions.
  • MicroRNAs (ncRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression and are implicated in various disease processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the role of microRNAs and other ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia.
  • To explore the potential clinical relevance and applications of these ncRNAs in managing cancer cachexia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on ncRNAs and cancer cachexia.
  • Analysis of data linking ncRNAs to skeletal muscle and adipose tissue regulation in cancer.
  • Examination of research on circulating ncRNAs as potential biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • ncRNAs play a critical role in modulating key pathways involved in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue turnover during cancer cachexia.
  • Circulating microRNAs show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for identifying patients at risk of developing cancer cachexia.
  • Understanding ncRNA mechanisms offers new avenues for therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs and other ncRNAs are integral to the development of cancer cachexia.
  • ncRNAs hold significant potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer cachexia.
  • Further research into ncRNA functions could lead to improved patient outcomes.
Keywords:
adipose tissue wastingbiomarkerscancer cachexiacircRNAslncRNAsmicroRNAsmuscle wastingncRNAstherapeutic targets

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