Open AccessMicroRNAs as oncogenes or tumour suppressors in oesophageal cancer: potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Author(s) -
Huang J.,
Zhang S.Y.,
Gao Y.M.,
Liu Y.F.,
Liu Y.B.,
Zhao Z.G.,
Yang K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1111/cpr.12109
Subject(s) - microrna , carcinogenesis , biology , suppressor , cancer , malignancy , cancer research , pathogenesis , bioinformatics , gene , immunology , genetics
MicroRNAs are a class of small, non‐coding RNAs that can negatively regulate protein‐coding genes, and are associated with almost all known physiological and pathological processes, especially cancer. The number of studies documenting miRNA expression patterns in malignancy continues to expand rapidly, with continuously gained critical information regarding how aberrantly expressed miRNAs may contribute to carcinogenesis. miRNAs can influence cancer pathogenesis, playing a potential role as either oncogenes or tumour suppressors. Recently, several miRNAs have been reported to exert different regulatory functions in oesophageal cancer – the carcinoma typically arising from the epithelial lining of the oesophagus. These miRNAs also have potential clinical applications towards developing biomarkers or targets for possible use in diagnosis or therapy in oesophageal cancer. In this review, we have summarized the two (oncogenic or tumour suppressive) roles of miRNAs here, and their applications as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets, which may illuminate future treatment for oesophageal cancer.