miRNA-148b belongs to the family miR-148/-152, with significant differences in nonseed sequences, which can target diverse mRNA molecules. Reportedly, it may undergo deregulation in lung and ovarian cancers and downregulation in gastric, pancreatic and colon cancers. However, there is a need for further studies to better characterize its mechanism of action and in different types of cancer. In this review, we focus on the aberrant expression of miR-148b in different cancer types and highlight its main target genes and signaling pathways, as well as its pathophysiologic role and relevance to tumorigenesis in several types of cancer.
Keywords: biomarker; cancers; miR-148b; signaling pathway; target genes.
Lay abstract miRNA-148b, or miR-148b, is a tumor suppressor that can regulate invasion-, apoptosis- and proliferation-related oncogenes. miR-148b prognostic and diagnostic potential has been the center of focus recent investigations and extensive studies have been performed on miR-148b regulation in carcinogenesis. Here, we review the role of miR-148b in various cancers and its potential therapeutic application as a target or biomarker.