The Role of microRNAs in Development of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most deadly cancer worldwide, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the critical factors in CRC carcinogenesis. IBD is responsible for an unphysiological and sustained chronic inflammation environment favoring the transformation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of highly conserved short single-stranded segments (18–25 nucleotides) non-coding RNA and have been extensively discussed in both CRC and IBD. However, the role of miRNAs in the development of colitis-associated CRC (CAC) is less clear. The aim of this review is to summarize the major upregulated (miR-18a, miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-155 and miR-214) and downregulated (miR-124, miR-193a-3p and miR-139-5p) miRNAs in CAC, and their roles in genes’ expression modulation in chronic colonic-inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, including programmed cell-death pathways. These miRNAs dysregulation could be applied for early CAC diagnosis, to predict therapy efficacy and for precision treatment.

Gut Microbiota: Therapeutic Targets of Ginseng Against Multiple Disorders and Ginsenoside Transformation

“…Colitis is a chronic and persistent inflammatory environment leading to colon cancer, which is the third deadliest cancer of the world ( Bocchetti et al., 2021 ). There are many factors leading to colitis, but the most fundamental is the gut microbiota.…”

Hyperactive neutrophil chemotaxis contributes to anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α treatment resistance in inflammatory bowel disease

“…Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic and relapsing–remitting chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by a susceptible genetic background, causing immunological dysfunction and intestinal microbiome dysbiosis. 1 The long‐standing mucosa inflammation destructs tight junctions, induces intestinal barrier injury and permeability, and increases the incidence of colonic neoplasia. 1 It is estimated that the prevalence of IBD exceeds 0.3% in North America, Oceania, and many countries in Europe.…”

“… 1 The long‐standing mucosa inflammation destructs tight junctions, induces intestinal barrier injury and permeability, and increases the incidence of colonic neoplasia. 1 It is estimated that the prevalence of IBD exceeds 0.3% in North America, Oceania, and many countries in Europe. 2 With the incidence rising in the newly industrialized countries, including Brazil and Taiwan, 3 thus, IBD places a large burden on public health services and healthcare economies.…”

“… 9 In addition, studies found that up to 3% of CD patients will be reclassified as UC and vice versa after their primary diagnosis, 5–15% of IBD patients classified as IBD‐U, and a small portion of UC patients are later changed to CD or IBD‐U. 10 More importantly, up to 30% of patients do not respond to anti‐TNF‐α blockers, 1 , 11 and the use of vedolizumab (anti‐IL‐12/23) and ustekinumab (anti‐integrin) may be efficacious in many patients that failed anti‐TNF‐α therapy. 12 Thus, there is a clear need to identify potential anti‐TNF‐α treatment pathways in overall IBD patients with a view to better targeting anti‐TNF‐α treatment to more responsive cohorts and to minimize the adverse anti‐TNF‐α treatment effects.…”

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: An Overview From Pathophysiology to Pharmacological Prevention

“…Among the epigenetic factors, emerging data have implicated the altered expression of specific microRNAs in were upregulated in IBD-CRC colon tissues compared to healthy controls while miR-124, -193a and -139 were downregulated (Bocchetti et al, 2021), however, further prospective studies on large cohort of patients are needed.…”