The complexity of microRNAs in human cancer

Jennifer Y Y Kwan; Pamela Psarianos; Jeff P Bruce; Kenneth W Yip; Fei-Fei Liu

doi:10.1093/jrr/rrw009

The complexity of microRNAs in human cancer

J Radiat Res. 2016 Aug;57 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):i106-i111. doi: 10.1093/jrr/rrw009. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Authors

Jennifer Y Y Kwan¹, Pamela Psarianos², Jeff P Bruce², Kenneth W Yip², Fei-Fei Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, Suite 504, Toronto, ON, M5T 1P5, Canada.
² Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.
³ Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, Suite 504, Toronto, ON, M5T 1P5, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Room 15-701, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada Fei-Fei.Liu@rmp.uhn.on.ca.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that have key regulatory roles in cancer, acting as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Due to the potential roles of miRNAs in improving cancer prognostic, predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, they have become an area of intense research focus in recent years. MiRNAs harbor attractive features allowing for translation to the clinical world, such as relatively simple extraction methods, resistance to molecular degradation, and ability to be quantified. Numerous prognostic, predictive and diagnostic miRNA signatures have been developed. To date however, miRNA analysis has not been adopted for routine clinical use. The objectives of this article are to provide an overview of miRNA research and review a selection of miRNA studies in breast cancer, cervical cancer, sarcoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma to highlight advances and challenges in miRNA cancer research.

Keywords: breast cancer; cervical cancer; microRNA; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; sarcoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
MicroRNAs / genetics*
MicroRNAs / metabolism
Models, Biological
Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

MicroRNAs