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Updated: Sep 20, 2025

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
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Tumor Suppressor microRNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Mini-Review

Ganesan Jothimani1, Meenu Bhatiya1, Surajit Pathak1

  • 1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai, India.

Recent Advances in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery
|June 7, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate oncogenic gene expression in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Profiling and modulating these miRNAs offers potential prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for GI cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health challenge due to high incidence and mortality rates.
  • Cancer development involves complex molecular events, including the dysregulation of gene expression and microRNAs (miRNAs).

Approach:

  • This mini-review systematically searched PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords related to miRNAs and various GI cancers.
  • A total of 71 research and review articles were analyzed to elucidate miRNA-mediated gene silencing mechanisms in GI cancers.

Key Points:

  • Tumor suppressor miRNAs play a crucial role in the negative regulation of oncogenic gene expression.
  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is linked to key cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, cell cycle control, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in GI cancers.
  • miRNAs show potential as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic markers for GI cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding tumor suppressor miRNA mechanisms provides insights into gene expression regulation in GI cancers.
  • Modulating miRNA expression through mimics presents a promising therapeutic avenue for GI cancer, potentially serving as prognostic and diagnostic tools.
Keywords:
Gastrointestinal cancergene silencingmiRNAsoncogenesproliferationtumor suppressor

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