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Piwi-Interacting RNAs: A New Class of Regulator in Human Breast Cancer

Lu Qian1,2, Heying Xie1,2, Libo Zhang1

  • 1Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|July 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

P-element-induced wimpy testis (Piwi)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are key in cancer. This review explores their roles in breast cancer, highlighting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial for germline regulation.
  • Aberrant piRNA expression is linked to various human cancers, including breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize research on piRNAs in human breast cancer.
  • To discuss the regulatory mechanisms of oncogenic or tumor-suppressing piRNAs.
  • To explore the potential of piRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of piRNAs in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of specific piRNAs (e.g., piR-021285, piR-823) and their functions.
  • Discussion of regulatory mechanisms and clinical implications.

Main Results:

  • Several piRNAs show oncogenic or tumor-suppressing roles in breast cancer.
  • piRNAs are implicated in transposon silencing and epigenetic regulation within cancer cells.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate piRNA potential in diagnosis and therapy.

Conclusions:

  • piRNAs represent promising biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Targeting piRNAs offers a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate piRNA functions and overcome challenges in cancer therapy.
Keywords:
PIWIbreast cancercancer stem cellpiRNAtumorigenesis

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