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Updated: Dec 2, 2025
09:06
MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
200
MicroRNAs: Multifaceted Regulators of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis and Clinical Applications
Xiang-Qiong Wen1, Xian-Ling Qian2,3, Huan-Kui Sun1
1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China.
Oncotargets and Therapy
|November 5, 2020
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis. This review details how miRNAs influence CRC progression and resistance, offering insights for clinical treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death, primarily due to metastasis.
- Metastasis is a complex, multi-step process involving intricate biological pathways.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs, are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the multifaceted roles of miRNAs in colorectal cancer metastasis.
- To elucidate the involvement of miRNAs and associated signaling pathways across various stages of CRC metastasis.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic markers and in overcoming treatment resistance in CRC.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies on miRNAs and colorectal cancer metastasis.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in key metastatic processes: invasion, migration, metabolism, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor-microenvironment communication, angiogenesis, anoikis, premetastatic niche formation, and cancer stemness.
- Examination of current research on miRNA applications in CRC diagnostics and therapeutic resistance.
Main Results:
- miRNAs are integral to multiple stages of colorectal cancer metastasis, including invasion, migration, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
- Specific miRNAs and their signaling pathways significantly impact tumor-microenvironment interactions, angiogenesis, and cancer stem cell properties.
- miRNAs show promise as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and as targets for overcoming clinical treatment resistance.
Conclusions:
- Understanding miRNA mechanisms in CRC progression is vital for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
- miRNAs offer potential as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for colorectal cancer patients.
- This review provides a theoretical foundation for advancing clinical CRC treatment through miRNA-based interventions.
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