MicroRNAs and head and neck cancer: reviewing the first decade of research

Neeraj Sethi; Alexander Wright; Henry Wood; Pamela Rabbitts

doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2014.07.012

MicroRNAs and head and neck cancer: reviewing the first decade of research

Eur J Cancer. 2014 Oct;50(15):2619-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2014.07.012. Epub 2014 Aug 4.

Authors

Neeraj Sethi¹, Alexander Wright², Henry Wood², Pamela Rabbitts²

Affiliations

¹ Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS9 7TF, UK. Electronic address: neerajsethi@dctors.org.uk.
² Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS9 7TF, UK.

PMID: 25103455
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2014.07.012

Abstract

MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNA which regulate gene expression. Their discovery in humans in 2000 has led to an explosion in research in this area in terms of their role as a biomarker, therapeutic target as well as trying to elucidate their function. This review aims to summarise the function of microRNAs as well as to examine how dysregulation at any step in their biogenesis or functional pathway can play a role in the development of cancer. We review which microRNAs are implicated as oncogenic or tumour suppressor in head and neck cancer as well as the data available on the use of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic marker. We also discuss routes for future research.

Keywords: Biomarker; Gene expression; Head and neck cancer; MicroRNAs.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
Biomedical Research / methods
Biomedical Research / trends
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
Genes, Tumor Suppressor
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics*
Humans
MicroRNAs / genetics*
Prognosis

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
MicroRNAs