Review article epithelial to mesenchymal transition‑associated microRNAs in breast cancer

Mol Biol Rep. 2022 Oct;49(10):9963-9973. doi: 10.1007/s11033-022-07553-4. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Abstract

Despite major advances, breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed carcinoma and remains a deadly disease among women worldwide. Many researchers point toward an important role of an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in BC development and promoting metastasis. Here, will be discussed that how functional changes of transcription factors, signaling pathways, and microRNAs (miRNA) in BC promote EMT. A thorough understanding the EMT biology can be important to determine reversing the process and design treatment approaches. There are frequent debates as to whether EMT is really relevant to BC in vivo, in which due to the intrinsic heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, given the importance of EMT in cancer progression and metastasis, the implementation of therapies against cancer-associated EMT will continue to help us develop and test potential treatments.

Keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition. MicroRNAs. Breast cancer. Metastasis. cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Transcription Factors