miRNAs: Critical mediators of breast cancer metastatic programming

Madhumathy G Nair; Vidya M Somashekaraiah; Vishakha Ramamurthy; Jyothi S Prabhu; T S Sridhar

doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112518

miRNAs: Critical mediators of breast cancer metastatic programming

Exp Cell Res. 2021 Apr 1;401(1):112518. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112518. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Authors

Madhumathy G Nair¹, Vidya M Somashekaraiah², Vishakha Ramamurthy², Jyothi S Prabhu², T S Sridhar²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India. Electronic address: madhumathy@sjri.res.in.
² Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India.

PMID: 33607102
DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112518

Abstract

MicroRNA mediated aberrant gene regulation has been implicated in several diseases including cancer. Recent research has highlighted the role of epigenetic modulation of the complex process of breast cancer metastasis by miRNAs. miRNAs play a crucial role in the process of metastatic evolution by facilitating alterations in the phenotype of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment that promote this process. They act as critical determinants of the multi-step progression starting from carcinogenesis all the way to organotropism. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the compelling role of miRNAs in breast cancer metastasis.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Metastasis; Metastatic organotropism; Tumor microenvironment; microRNAs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
Breast Neoplasms / pathology
Carcinogenesis / genetics*
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
Humans
MicroRNAs / genetics*
Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
MicroRNAs