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MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier MSC for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
Research progress of MicroRNA in lung cancer
Wenqing Long1, Lulin Cheng1, Yifan Shang1
1Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and play essential roles in proliferation, metabolism, stress responses, and apoptosis. Lung cancer (LC) remains one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for about 80% of cases. Although advances in diagnosis and treatment have been made, clinical management is still challenged by drug resistance, metastasis, and treatment-related complications, and overall survival has only modestly improved. Accumulating evidence shows that dysregulated miRNA expression is closely linked to LC initiation and progression. miRNAs are involved in tumor growth, dissemination, and therapeutic responses, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment prediction. Furthermore, strategies to modulate miRNA expression are emerging as promising therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes recent progress on miRNAs in LC, emphasizing their classification, interactions with signaling pathways, and translational potential in clinical applications, including diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in lung cancer (LC) development and progression. This review highlights their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising the majority of cases.
- Despite therapeutic advances, challenges like drug resistance and metastasis persist, limiting survival improvements.
- Dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in LC initiation and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of microRNAs (miRNAs) in lung cancer (LC).
- To emphasize the classification, signaling pathway interactions, and clinical translational potential of miRNAs in LC.
- To explore the application of miRNAs in LC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on miRNAs in lung cancer.
- Analysis of miRNA classification and their roles in cellular processes.
- Examination of miRNA involvement in key signaling pathways relevant to LC.
- Evaluation of the translational potential of miRNAs for clinical applications.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial for gene regulation, impacting proliferation, metabolism, stress responses, and apoptosis.
- Aberrant miRNA expression is strongly associated with the initiation, progression, and therapeutic response in lung cancer (LC).
- miRNAs demonstrate significant potential as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and predicting treatment outcomes in NSCLC.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play multifaceted roles in lung cancer (LC), influencing tumor growth, metastasis, and response to therapy.
- Modulating miRNA expression presents a promising therapeutic strategy for lung cancer (LC) treatment.
- miRNAs hold substantial promise for improving early diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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