MicroRNAs in Lung Cancer Oncogenesis and Tumor Suppression: How it Can Improve the Clinical Practice?

Daniel Humberto Pozza; Ramon Andrade De Mello; Raphael L C Araujo; Vamsidhar Velcheti

doi:10.2174/1389202921999200630144712

MicroRNAs in Lung Cancer Oncogenesis and Tumor Suppression: How it Can Improve the Clinical Practice?

Curr Genomics. 2020 Aug;21(5):372-381. doi: 10.2174/1389202921999200630144712.

Authors

Daniel Humberto Pozza¹, Ramon Andrade De Mello¹, Raphael L C Araujo¹, Vamsidhar Velcheti¹

Affiliation

¹ 1Departamento de Biomedicina da Faculdade de Medicina, and Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, and I3s, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; 2Algarve Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal; 3Department of Clinical & Experimental Oncology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 4Precision Oncology and Health Economic Group, Nine of July University, São Paulo, Brazil; 5Department of Digestive Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; 6Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil; 7Thoracic Oncology Program, NYU Langone, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA.

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer (LC) development is a process that depends on genetic mutations. The DNA methylation, an important epigenetic modification, is associated with the expression of non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs. MicroRNAs are particularly essential for cell physiology, since they play a critical role in tumor suppressor gene activity. Furthermore, epigenetic disruptions are the primary event in cell modification, being related to tumorigenesis. In this context, microRNAs can be a useful tool in the LC suppression, consequently improving prognosis and predicting treatment.

Conclusion: This manuscript reviews the main microRNAs involved in LC and its potential clinical applications to improve outcomes, such as survival and better quality of life.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Lung cancer; adenocarcinoma; epigenetic modification; microRNA; squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review