Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNAs) are believed to affect the occurrence and progression of cancer by altering the expression and biological functions of miRNAs. Methods: The present scoping review was designed to evaluate and discuss microRNA SNPs (miR-SNPs) that have been found to be associated with GC in the following two contexts: (1) the biological effects on GC based on SNP localization; and (2) the associations between miRNA-SNPs and clinical factors (susceptibility, tumor size, metastasis, overall survival, and prognosis) of GC. Results and Conclusions: Information on miRNAs was collected, including the SNPs, their proven target genes, and the possible impact of the SNPs on GC outcome. Our findings suggest an etiological or modifying role for multiple miRNA SNPs (miR-499, miR-146a, miR-149, miR-148, miR-27a, miR-608, miR-196a-2) in GC and its progression. The findings of this study reinforce the multiple roles of miRNA SNPs in GC.
Keywords: gastric cancer; gastric carcinoma; microRNAs; single nucleotide polymorphism.