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Are Circulating microRNAs Involved in Tumor Surveillance?

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Circulating microRNAs in Disease Diagnostics and their Potential Biological Relevance

Part of the book series: Experientia Supplementum ((EXS,volume 106))

Abstract

By studying literature data and having performed an in silico analysis, the circulating microRNA expression profiles of healthy individuals appear to show an abundance of microRNAs with predominant tumor suppressor activity. We hypothesize that circulating tumor suppressor microRNAs might constitute a sort of continuous tumor surveillance, whereby circulating microRNAs delivering gene expression modulating epigenetic information might halt cell transformation and tumorigenesis. This mechanism might complement the well-known cancer immune surveillance. A further hypothesis is also discussed, supposing that the tissue specific action of microRNAs might represent a putative defense mechanism against the potential tumor-promoting actions of secreted miRNA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Szt Imre Teaching Hospital Budapest, Budapest, Hungary

    Ivan Igaz

  2. 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi str. 46, 1088, Budapest, Hungary

    Peter Igaz M.D. M.Sc. Ph.D. D.Sc.

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  1. Ivan Igaz
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  2. Peter Igaz M.D. M.Sc. Ph.D. D.Sc.
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Correspondence to Peter Igaz M.D. M.Sc. Ph.D. D.Sc. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

    Peter Igaz

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Igaz, I., Igaz, P. (2015). Are Circulating microRNAs Involved in Tumor Surveillance?. In: Igaz, P. (eds) Circulating microRNAs in Disease Diagnostics and their Potential Biological Relevance. Experientia Supplementum, vol 106. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0955-9_13

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