MicroRNAs in colorectal cancer: translation of molecular biology into clinical application.
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs 18-25 nucleotides in length that downregulate gene expression during various crucial cell processes such as apoptosis, differentiation and development. Changes in the expression profiles of miRNAs have been observed in a variety of human tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Functional studies indicate that miRNAs act as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. These findings significantly extend Vogelstein's model of CRC pathogenesis and have shown great potential for miRNAs as a novel class of therapeutic targets. Several investigations have also described the ability of miRNA expression profiles to predict prognosis and response to selected treatments in CRC patients, and support diagnosis of CRC among cancer of unknown primary site. miRNAs' occurrence has been repeatedly observed also in serum and plasma, and miRNAs as novel minimally invasive biomarkers have indicated reasonable sensitivity for CRC detection and compare favorably with the fecal occult blood test. In this review, we summarize the knowledge regarding miRNAs' functioning in CRC while emphasizing their significance in pathogenetic signaling pathways and their potential to serve as disease biomarkers and novel therapeut...Continue Reading
References
Human microRNA genes are frequently located at fragile sites and genomic regions involved in cancers
Micro RNA 145 targets the insulin receptor substrate-1 and inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells
Citations
Methods Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis
Antisense Oligonucleotides: ND
This feed focuses on antisense oligonucleotide therapies such as Inotersen, Nusinursen, and Patisiran, in neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors to Treat Cancer
Cancer treatments including angiogenesis inhibitors prevent tumor cells from receiving nutrients and oxygen. Here is the latest research on angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
Apoptosis in Cancer
Apoptosis is an important mechanism in cancer. By evading apoptosis, tumors can continue to grow without regulation and metastasize systemically. Many therapies are evaluating the use of pro-apoptotic activation to eliminate cancer growth. Here is the latest research on apoptosis in cancer.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli
Adenomatous polyposis coli is a protein encoded by the APC gene and acts as a tumor suppressor. Discover the latest research on adenomatous polyposis coli here.
AKT Pathway
This feed focuses on the AKT serine/threonine kinase, which is an important signaling pathway involved in processes such as glucose metabolism and cell survival.
Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor. It contains a population of tumor initiating stem cell-like cells known as cancer stem cells. Investigations are ongoing into these cancer stem cells found in these solid tumors which are highly resistance to treatment. Here is the latest research on cancer stem cells in glioblastoma.
Cancer Genomics (Keystone)
Cancer genomics approaches employ high-throughput technologies to identify the complete catalog of somatic alterations that characterize the genome, transcriptome and epigenome of cohorts of tumor samples. Discover the latest research using such technologies in this feed.