Premium
Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and microRNAs: Challenges and future perspectives in oral cancer
Author(s) -
Domingues Cátia Sofia da Costa,
Serambeque Beatriz Prazeres,
Laranjo Cândido Mafalda Sofia,
Marto Carlos Miguel Machado,
Veiga Francisco José de Baptista,
Sarmento Antunes Cruz Ribeiro Ana Bela,
Figueiras Ana Rita Ramalho,
Botelho Maria Filomena Roque,
Dourado Marília de Assunção Rodrigues Ferreira
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25381
Subject(s) - epithelial–mesenchymal transition , microrna , mesenchymal stem cell , cancer , cancer research , basal cell , transition (genetics) , medicine , head and neck cancer , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , bioinformatics , oncology , biology , pathology , metastasis , gene , biochemistry
Background Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most representative type. OSCC is a public health problem with high morbidity and poor survival rate. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition is emerging as a hallmark in OSCC. Methods In this study, we described the role of microRNAs in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition regulation in OSCC based on a PubMed search using articles published in English between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2018. Results MicroRNA's regulatory networks seem to be a hallmark of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in OSCC pathophysiology becoming a growing challenge to design new studies and strategies from biology to clinical applications. Conclusion Therefore, we propose that targeting therapies to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition‐type cells, namely, coordinating microRNAs and/or hydrophobic drugs, such as conventional therapy, could be a promising strategy to improve the outcomes of patients with OSCC.