MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and non-coding RNAs that display aberrant expression in the tissue and plasma of cancer patients when tested in comparison to healthy individuals. In past decades, research data proposed that miRNAs could be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer patients. It has been confirmed that miRNAs can act either as oncogenes by silencing tumor inhibitors or as tumor suppressors by targeting oncoproteins. MiR-144s are located in the chromosomal region 17q11.2, which is subject to significant damage in many types of cancers. In this review, we assess the involvement of miR-144s in several cancer types by illustrating the possible target genes that are related to each cancer, and we also briefly describe the clinical applications of miR-144s as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in cancers.Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 2578 2 of 23 of a mRNA molecule [3]. MiRNAs indicate a new perspective in the study of cancers. More than 50% of miRNA genes were discovered to be located within the genomic regions that are involved in cancers, suggesting their role in human cancer pathogenesis. In pathological conditions, MiRNAs can negatively regulate gene expression and they are associated with tumor growth, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. In the past, several studies have indicated the ability of miRNAs in the inhibition of tumors as a critical option for the improvement of cancer therapy [4,5]. Tumor activator miRNAs, called oncomiRs, are overexpressed in various cancers. On the contrary, suppressive tumor miRNAs are underexpressed [6][7][8]. Among several miRNAs assessed, miR-144s seem to have a role in several cancers. These miRNAs are located in the chromosomal region 17q11.2, being significantly destroyed in many types of cancers. The predicted stem-loop structure of miR-144s recognized by the miRBase (http://mirbase.org/) is shown in Figure 1A. The miR-144 hairpin gives rise to the "guide strand" miR-144-5p and the sister "passenger" strand miR-144-3p ( Figure 1B).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and non-coding RNAs displaying aberrant expression in the tissue and plasma of cancer patients in comparison to healthy individuals. In past decades, accumulating data proposed that miRNAs could be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer patients. It has been identified that miRNAs can act either as oncogenes through silencing of tumor inhibitors or tumor suppressor via targeting oncoproteins. MiR-144 is located in chromosomal region 17q11.2 that was widely destroyed in many types of cancers. Several studies revealed that miR-144 has different target genes including rapamycin, zonula occludens1, SFRP1, and ANO1. MiR-144 acts as a tumor suppressor or oncogene by targeting specific genes. In this review, we define the role of miR‐144 and its targets in different cancers and provide understanding in tumor proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.