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Crucial Roles of microRNA-Mediated Autophagy in Urologic Malignancies

Maolei Shen1, Xin Li1, Biao Qian2

  • 1Department of Urology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, China.

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|September 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and autophagy play dual roles in urologic cancers like prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer. Targeting miRNAs offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Urologic oncologies represent significant global health challenges.
  • MicroRNA (miRNA) and autophagy are key cellular processes implicated in various cancers, including urologic malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize the intricate relationship between miRNA-mediated autophagy and urologic cancers.
  • To elucidate the dual role of miRNAs in regulating autophagy as either carcinogenic or tumor-suppressive factors.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating miRNA and autophagy in prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers.
  • Analysis of the complex regulatory network involving miRNAs, targeted genes, and signaling pathways orchestrating autophagy.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNA-mediated autophagy exhibits both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects in prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression can dysregulate autophagy, contributing to tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapeutic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting specific miRNAs for autophagy modulation presents promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker potential.
  • Modulating miRNA-driven autophagy offers a potential therapeutic strategy for urologic oncologies.
Keywords:
AutophagyMicroRNAMolecular mechanismsUrologic oncologies

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