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Therapeutic Application of MicroRNAs in Cancer

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RNA Interference from Biology to Therapeutics

Part of the book series: Advances in Delivery Science and Technology ((ADST))

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression thereby controlling many biological and cellular processes, including development, organogenesis, and homeostasis. Due to miRNAs ability to target multiple mRNAs, if miRNA expression is altered, diseases such as cancer can occur as a consequence of the misregulation of target gene networks. Deregulation of miRNA expression in cancer cells is caused by a variety of mechanisms such as genetic alterations, epigenetic regulation, or altered expression of transcription factors, which target miRNAs. Many recent studies have focused on the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutics in the field of oncology. In this chapter, we summarize the latest and most significant discoveries for the use of miRNA-based therapy in various physiological and pathological conditions with particular focus on cancer. In addition, we discuss a new method for the delivery of miRNA to a desired site using biologically significant exosomes.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for the Third Term Comprehensive 10-Year Strategy for Cancer Control, a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas Cancer from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, and the Program for Promotion of Fundamental Studies in Health Sciences of the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation (NiBio), and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) through the “Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST Program)” initiated by the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan

    Nobuyoshi Kosaka, Fumitaka Takeshita, Yusuke Yoshioka & Takahiro Ochiya

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  1. Nobuyoshi Kosaka
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  2. Fumitaka Takeshita
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  3. Yusuke Yoshioka
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  4. Takahiro Ochiya
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Correspondence to Nobuyoshi Kosaka .

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  1. Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 118, Aarhus, 8000 AA, Denmark

    Kenneth A. Howard

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Kosaka, N., Takeshita, F., Yoshioka, Y., Ochiya, T. (2013). Therapeutic Application of MicroRNAs in Cancer. In: Howard, K. (eds) RNA Interference from Biology to Therapeutics. Advances in Delivery Science and Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4744-3_14

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