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MicroRNAs as biomarkers of cervical cancer development: a literature review on miR-125b and miR-34a

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Abstract

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs with important functions in several biological processes, such as, regulation of cell cycle, immune response, inflammation, and apoptosis. In fact, deregulation and abnormal expression of these molecules is associated with human pathologies including cancer and several have already emerged as potential prognostic biomarkers in different neoplasias. miR-34a is directly regulated by p53 and acts as tumor suppressor while miR-125b plays a significant role in immune response and apoptosis. In cervical carcinogenesis, HPV proteins seem to interact with both miR-34a and miR-125b changing its expression and promoting persistent infection and cervical cancer development. In this review we describe the potential role of miR-125b and miR-34a in cervical carcinogenesis, including interaction with HPV and mechanism of deregulation. Additionally, their clinical applications in cervical cancer as prognostic/predictive biomarkers are also briefly discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Ribeiro

  2. Virology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Ribeiro & Hugo Sousa

  3. Molecular Oncology Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Ribeiro & Hugo Sousa

  4. Portuguese League Against Cancer, Núcleo Regional do Norte, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Ribeiro

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  1. Joana Ribeiro
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  2. Hugo Sousa
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Correspondence to Hugo Sousa.

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Ribeiro, J., Sousa, H. MicroRNAs as biomarkers of cervical cancer development: a literature review on miR-125b and miR-34a. Mol Biol Rep 41, 1525–1531 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-013-2998-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-013-2998-0

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