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MicroRNAs in cancer metastasis: biological and therapeutic implications

Marie C Sell1, Charmaine A Ramlogan-Steel1, Jason C Steel1

  • 1School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia.

Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
|March 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and are key to cancer metastasis. This study examines microRNA roles in metastasis and evaluates microRNA-based therapies for advanced cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality.
  • Metastasis involves significant genetic alterations and gene expression changes in cancer cells.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial for gene expression regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microRNAs in cancer metastasis.
  • To analyze microRNA dysregulation in metastatic cancer cells.
  • To review microRNA-based strategies for targeting metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Dissection of the metastatic process step-by-step.
  • Examination of microRNA involvement at each metastatic stage.
  • Review of pre-clinical models and clinical trials using miRNA-based therapies.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs are significantly dysregulated in metastatic cancer cells.
  • Specific microRNAs are implicated at various steps of the metastatic cascade.
  • Pre-clinical studies show promise for miRNA-based anti-metastasis strategies.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are critical determinants of cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting microRNA dysregulation offers a potential therapeutic avenue for metastatic cancers.
  • Clinical trials are exploring microRNA-based therapies for advanced and metastatic tumors.
Keywords:
Cancer therapycancermetastasismicroRNA

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