Multidrug resistance in hepatic cancer stem cells: the emerging role of miRNAs

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Jun;9(6):723-5. doi: 10.1586/17474124.2015.1041509. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

Abstract

There is a fast growing body of evidence that shows several miRNAs are essential to the key features of cancer stem cells (CSC) in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of the miRNAs in different hepatic CSCs and their role in multidrug resistance mechanisms, in particular in those related to the CSC marker ABCG2, is still poorly understood. This limitation is mainly due to the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, different CSC markers and high number of deregulated miRNAs, both in primary tumor sites as well as in the circulation. The identification of CSC-related miRNAs and the modulation of hepatocellular carcinoma multidrug resistance would provide a systemic approach in the management of the disease.

Keywords: cancer stem cell; cell marker; hepatocellular carcinoma; miRNA; multidrug resistance.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple* / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology

Substances

  • ABCG2 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins