Dissecting miRNA signature in colorectal cancer progression and metastasis

Cancer Lett. 2021 Mar 31:501:66-82. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.025. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advancements in surgical and molecular targeted therapies that improved the therapeutic efficacy in CRC, the 5 years survival rate of CRC patients still remains frustratingly poor. Accumulated evidences indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the progression and metastasis of CRC. Dysregulated miRNAs are closely associated with cancerous phenotypes (e.g. enhanced proliferative and invasive ability, evasion of apoptosis, cell cycle aberration, and promotion of angiogenesis) by regulating their target genes. In this review, we provide an updated overview of tumor suppressive and oncogenic miRNAs, circulatory miRNAs, and the possible causes of dysregulated miRNAs in CRC. In addition, we discuss the important functions of miRNAs in drug resistance of CRC.

Keywords: Circulatory miRNAs; Colorectal cancer; Drug resistance; miRNA; miRNA dysregulation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs