Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The results of cancer-associated miRNA research have yielded surprising insights into the pathogenesis of a range of different cancers. Many of the dysregulated miRNAs are involved in the regulation of genes that are essential for carcinogenesis. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the latest discovery of miRNAs acting as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as the potential applications of miRNA regulations in cancer therapy. Several translational studies have demonstrated the feasibility of targeting oncogenic miRNAs and restoring tumor-suppressive miRNAs for cancer therapy using in vivo model systems. EXPERT OPINION: miRNAs are extensive regulators of cancer progression. With increasing understanding of the miRNA target genes and the cellular behaviors influenced by them, modulating the miRNA activities may provide exciting opportunities for cancer therapy. Despite the hurdles incurred in acquiring effective systemic drug delivery systems, in vivo delivery of miRNAs for therapeutic purposes in preclinical animal models is rapidly developing. Accumulating evidences indicate that using miRNA expression alterations to influence molecular pathways has the potential of being translated into clinical applications.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Cho WC

Institution

Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Room 1305, 13/F, Block R, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. chocs@ha.org.hk

Source

Expert opinion on therapeutic targets 16:8 2012 Aug pg 747-59

MeSH

Animals
Genes, Tumor Suppressor
Humans
MicroRNAs
Neoplasms
Oncogenes

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22690697