The role of microRNAs in cancer: diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and targets of therapies

Abstract

miRNAs have the potential for better understanding of tumor biology, but could also provide clinical advancement in management and therapy of various malignancies. The possibility of miRNA detection in peripheral blood would allow an eager expansion of their application in various clinical settings for cancer. The applicability of miRNA expression profiles still needs to be defined.

HepatomiRNoma: The proposal of a new network of targets for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Furthermore, it has been reported that more than 50% of microRNA genes are often located in the fragile sites of chromosomes and in genomic regions which are prone to deletion, amplification and mutations (Corsini et al, 2012). It is now recognized that the aberrant expression of various microRNAs is closely related to the etiology and clinical outcome of several human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).…”

“…In fact, they can be microRNA oncogenes, called oncomirs, if they promote tumor development through the negative regulation of tumor suppressor genes. Alternatively, tumor suppressor microRNA, called anti-oncomiRs, are able to inhibit tumor growth by targeting oncogenes (Corsini et al, 2012;Visone and Croce, 2009). For these reasons, oncomiRs are up- (Corsini et al, 2012;Li et al, 2009a).…”

“…Alternatively, tumor suppressor microRNA, called anti-oncomiRs, are able to inhibit tumor growth by targeting oncogenes (Corsini et al, 2012;Visone and Croce, 2009). For these reasons, oncomiRs are up- (Corsini et al, 2012;Li et al, 2009a). For this reason, currently have been identified 23 miRNAs (miR-1, miR-9, miR-15b, miR-130b, miR-16, miR-18a, miR-21, miR-34, miR-92a, miR-101, miR-122, miR-129-2, miR-132, miR-195, miR-199a, miR-221, miR-222, miR-223, miR-224, miR-375, miR-500, miR-675, miR-885-5p) detectable in peripheral blood and tissues, which are involved in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression and we can name them HepatomiRNoma as a whole.…”

“…Because they regulate about 30% of genes, a crucial role is exerted in different biological processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. In addition, recent evidences showed altered expression of miRNAs in various diseases, including cancer (Corsini et al, 2012). MiRNA online databases (e.g.…”

MicroRNAs: Biogenesis, Roles for Carcinogenesis and as Potential Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis

“…The various expressions of miRNA genes in cancer tissues may contribute to several factors including affecting the location of miRNA during the mapping of cancer-associated genomic regions, imperfect function of the miRNA, and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to multifarious miRNA-mediated gene network dysregulation. In contrast, the unique expression and biological properties of different miRNAs in various cancer types can act as novel bio-markers from which a new strategy might be developed for microRNA gene therapy as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in cancer research (Stenvang et al, 2008;Iorio and Croce, 2012a;Corsini et al, 2012;Fink and Kishore Guda, 2013). In this review, we have reported the biogenesis of miRNAs, miRNAs roles in cancer and its potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis including the regulation of key cancer-related pathways, such as cell cycle control and the miRNA dysregulation.…”