The role of tumor suppressor short non-coding RNAs on breast cancer

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2021 Feb:158:103210. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103210. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Abstract

Characterized by remarkable levels of aggression and malignancy, BC remains one of the leading causes of death in females world wide. Accordingly, significant efforts have been made to develop early diagnostic tools, increase treatment efficacy, and improve patient prognosis. Hopefully, many of the molecular mechanisms underlying BC have been detected and show promising targeting potential. In particular, short and long non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of endogenous BC controllers and include a number of different species including microRNAs, Piwi-interacting RNAs, small nucleolar RNA, short interfering RNAs, and tRNA-derivatives. In this review, we discuss the tumor suppressing roles of ncRNAs in the context of BC, and the mechanisms by which ncRNAs target tumor hallmarks, including apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and cell cycle progression, in addition to their diagnostic and prognostic significance in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Apoptosis; BC; Metastasis; Small non-coding RNA; miRNA; piRNA; siRNA; snoRNA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Small Interfering