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Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer
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Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2021) | Viewed by 14387

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Wojciech Fendler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Interests: biomarkers; radiation; biostatistics; microRNA; monogenic diabetes; pancreatic cancer; ovarian cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last decade, microRNAs have attracted significant and undiminishing attention as key regulators of various biological processes. The involvement of miRNAs in carcinogenesis and their impact on the outcome of oncologic care is profound and widespread, with multiple miRNAs affecting crucial survival pathways and modulating the survival of cancerous cells. The advent of NGS techniques and improvements in qPCR specificity have allowed the rapid accumulation of knowledge on how members of this specific class of ribonucleic acid molecules affect processes like DNA repair, the synthesis of specific proteins, drug resistance, and cell-to-cell communication. Considerable advances have also been made in the application of microRNAs as biomarkers, as they can be readily quantified using various methods in nearly all types of human samples. While miRNA therapeutics are still a thing of the (near) future, microRNAs undoubtedly exert a major impact on cancer biology and are a field of intense study.

The present Special Issue is aimed at collecting latest advances and outstanding research works investigating the role of microRNAs in affecting the pathogenesis, detection, treatment, and prognosis of human cancers, including malignancies manifesting in specific patient populations with a genetic predisposition to malignancies. Original research and review manuscripts are welcome.

Dr. Wojciech Fendler
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • carcinogenesis
  • non-coding RNA
  • post-transcriptional regulation
  • RNA therapeutics
  • biomarkers
  • predictive models

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 6564 KiB  
Article
MicroRNAs and Extracellular Vesicles as Distinctive Biomarkers of Precocious and Advanced Stages of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases Development
by Inês Figueira, Joana Godinho-Pereira, Sofia Galego, Joana Maia, János Haskó, Kinga Molnár, Rui Malhó, Bruno Costa-Silva, Imola Wilhelm, István A. Krizbai and Maria Alexandra Brito
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(10), 5214; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22105214 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3857
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer presents higher mortality and poorer survival rates than other breast cancer (BC) types, due to the proneness to brain metastases formation, which are usually diagnosed at advanced stages. Therefore, the discovery of BC brain metastases (BCBM) biomarkers appears pivotal [...] Read more.
Triple negative breast cancer presents higher mortality and poorer survival rates than other breast cancer (BC) types, due to the proneness to brain metastases formation, which are usually diagnosed at advanced stages. Therefore, the discovery of BC brain metastases (BCBM) biomarkers appears pivotal for a timely intervention. With this work, we aimed to disclose microRNAs (miRNAs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the circulation as biomarkers of BCBM formation. Using a BCBM animal model, we analyzed EVs in plasma by nanoparticle tracking analysis and ascertained their blood-brain barrier (BBB) origin by flow cytometry. We further evaluated circulating miRNAs by RT-qPCR and their brain expression by in situ hybridization. In parallel, a cellular model of BCBM formation, combining triple negative BC cells and BBB endothelial cells, was used to differentiate the origin of biomarkers. Established metastases were associated with an increased content of circulating EVs, particularly of BBB origin. Interestingly, deregulated miRNAs in the circulation were observed prior to BCBM detection, and their brain origin was suggested by matching alterations in brain parenchyma. In vitro studies indicated that miR-194-5p and miR-205-5p are expressed and released by BC cells, endothelial cells and during their interaction. These results highlight miRNAs and EVs as biomarkers of BCBM in early and advanced stages, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer)
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17 pages, 4179 KiB  
Article
Involvement of MicroRNA-1-FAM83A Axis Dysfunction in the Growth and Motility of Lung Cancer Cells
by Pei-Jung Liu, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Kuo-Wang Tsai, Hui-Ying Yeah, Chung-Yu Yeh, Ya-Ting Tu and Chih-Yun Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8833; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228833 - 22 Nov 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most prevalent types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Among all cancers, lung cancer has the highest incidence, accompanied by a high mortality rate at the advanced stage. Favorable prognostic biomarkers can effectively increase the [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is the most prevalent types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Among all cancers, lung cancer has the highest incidence, accompanied by a high mortality rate at the advanced stage. Favorable prognostic biomarkers can effectively increase the survival rate in lung cancer. Our results revealed FAM83A (Family with sequence similarity 83, member A) overexpression in lung cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, high FAM83A expression was closely associated with poor lung cancer survival. Here, through siRNA transfection, we effectively inhibited FAM83A expression in the lung cancer cell lines H1355 and A549. FAM83A knockdown significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of these cells. Furthermore, FAM83A knockdown could suppress Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/Choline kinase alpha (CHKA) signaling activation in A549 and H1355. By using a bioinformatics approach, we found that FAM83A overexpression in lung cancer may result from miR-1-3p downregulation. In summary, we identified a novel miR-1-FAM83A axis could partially modulate the EGFR/choline phospholipid metabolism signaling pathway, which suppressed lung cancer growth and motility. Our findings provide new insights for the development of lung cancer therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer)
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Review

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21 pages, 563 KiB  
Review
MicroRNA Regulation of Breast Cancer Stemness
by Brock Humphries, Zhishan Wang and Chengfeng Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3756; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073756 - 4 Apr 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3866
Abstract
Recent advances in our understanding of breast cancer have demonstrated that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs, also known as tumor-initiating cell (TICs)) are central for progression and recurrence. CSCs are a small subpopulation of cells present in breast tumors that contribute to growth, metastasis, [...] Read more.
Recent advances in our understanding of breast cancer have demonstrated that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs, also known as tumor-initiating cell (TICs)) are central for progression and recurrence. CSCs are a small subpopulation of cells present in breast tumors that contribute to growth, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence, leading to poor clinical outcome. Data have shown that cancer cells can gain characteristics of CSCs, or stemness, through alterations in key signaling pathways. The dysregulation of miRNA expression and signaling have been well-documented in cancer, and recent studies have shown that miRNAs are associated with breast cancer initiation, progression, and recurrence through regulating CSC characteristics. More specifically, miRNAs directly target central signaling nodes within pathways that can drive the formation, maintenance, and even inhibition of the CSC population. This review aims to summarize these research findings specifically in the context of breast cancer. This review also discusses miRNAs as biomarkers and promising clinical therapeutics, and presents a comprehensive summary of currently validated targets involved in CSC-specific signaling pathways in breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer)
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20 pages, 577 KiB  
Review
Circulating miRNAs in HER2-Positive and Triple Negative Breast Cancers: Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets
by Ishita Gupta, Balsam Rizeq, Semir Vranic, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa and Halema Al Farsi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186750 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3499
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases among women worldwide and is highly associated with cancer-related mortality. Of the four major molecular subtypes, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprise more than 30% of all breast cancers. While the HER2-positive subtype [...] Read more.
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases among women worldwide and is highly associated with cancer-related mortality. Of the four major molecular subtypes, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprise more than 30% of all breast cancers. While the HER2-positive subtype lacks estrogen and progesterone receptors and overexpresses HER2, the TNBC subtype lacks estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. Although advances in molecular biology and genetics have substantially ameliorated breast cancer disease management, targeted therapies for the treatment of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer patients are still restricted, particularly for TNBC. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that microRNAs, miRNAs or small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression are involved in diverse biological processes, including carcinogenesis. Moreover, circulating miRNAs in serum/plasma are among the most promising diagnostic/therapeutic tools as they are stable and relatively easy to quantify. Various circulating miRNAs have been identified in several human cancers including specific breast cancer subtypes. This review aims to discuss the role of circulating miRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for estrogen-receptor negative breast cancers, HER2+ and triple negative. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of MicroRNAs in Human Cancer)
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