MicroRNA-31: a pivotal oncogenic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) continuously constitutes a major challenge for treatment and prognosis due to approximately half of treated OSCC patients dying from locoregional recurrences and distant metastases. MicroRNA-31 (miR-31), an early mammalian miRNA identified, has been gaining importance in the field of OSCC research in recent years. This comprehensive review was conducted for the first time to summarize the current evidence on the association between miR-31 and OSCC. The vast majority of relevant studies (20/21, 95%) demonstrated that miR-31 was an oncogenic factor in the tumorigenesis and progression of OSCC. miR-31 expression is significantly upregulated in plasma, saliva, and tumor tissue of OSCC. miR-31 played an essential role in OSCC development by constituting a complex network with its targeted genes (e.g. RhoA, FIH, ACOX1, VEGF, SIRT3, LATS2, KANK1, and NUMB) and the signaling cascades (e.g. EGF-AKT signaling axis, ERK-MMP9 cascade, Hippo pathway, Wnt signaling, and MCT1/MCT4 regulatory cascade). This review highlights that miR-31 might function as a potential diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker for OSCC. Further studies are still warranted to better illuminate the clinicopathological features and the molecular mechanisms of miR-31-mediated OSCC development.

The clinical implications of circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers in screening oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Recently, several researchers have demonstrated a functional role for miRNAs in the initiation and progression of OSCC, which may help us understand the potential biomarker role of miRNAs in OSCC. For example, Lin et al reported that miR-31 played a pivotal part during the progression of OSCC through establishing a complicated network with its regulated genes and the signaling cascades such as EGF-AKT signaling axis, Hippo pathway, and Wnt signaling (57). Data from the study by Peng et al revealed that downregulation of miR-130a could inhibit OSCC proliferation and metastasis by the Hippo-YAP pathway, which may provide potential target for OSCC therapy (58).…”

“…For example, Lin et al. reported that miR-31 played a pivotal part during the progression of OSCC through establishing a complicated network with its regulated genes and the signaling cascades such as EGF-AKT signaling axis, Hippo pathway, and Wnt signaling ( 57 ). Data from the study by Peng et al.…”

Sensitive SERS detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma-related miRNAs in saliva via a gold nanohexagon array coupled with hybridization chain reaction amplification

“…Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for nearly 95% of all oral cancers and is characterized by a highly variable prognosis, which is closely related to the time of diagnosis. 1 The 5 year survival rate was only 20-40% in patients with late diagnosis, compared to 80% in patients with early diagnosis, 2 underscoring the need for reliable early diagnosis. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the importance of miRNAs in diagnosing cancers, including OSCC.…”

“…Studies have shown that miR-31 is highly expressed in many tumors and signicantly correlates with patient survival, therapeutic response, and the clinical stage. 1,7 Kumari P. et al demonstrated that the expression of miR-31 in saliva was signicantly higher in preoperative OSCC patients than in postoperative patients. 7 Further studies suggested that miR-31 may regulate the cell cycle and proliferation via Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways.…”

“…8 It is noteworthy that miRNAs are not only present in tumor tissues but also circulate in body uids such as blood, saliva, and urine. 1,9 Saliva has long been considered an ideal candidate for OSCC liquid biopsy due to its direct contact with oral cancer and ease of collection and storage. 10 Various strategies and technologies such as northern blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) have been schemed to detect miRNAs associated with cancers.…”