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The role of microRNAs in human breast cancer progression

Tumor Biology volume 35, pages 6235–6244 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Over the past decade, microRNAs (miRNAs) have become a new paradigm of gene regulation. miRNAs are involved in a wide array of carcinogenic processes. Indeed, increasing evidence has shown the importance of miRNAs in cancer, suggesting their possible use as diagnostic, predictive and prognostic biomarkers, leading to miRNA-based anti-cancer therapies, either alone or in combination with current targeted therapies, with the goal of improving cancer treatment responses and increasing cure rates. The advantage of using a miRNA approach is based on the ability to concurrently target multiple effectors of pathways involved in cell proliferation, migration and survival. This review sheds new light on miRNA regulation of genes that play critical roles in the process of malignant transformation and tumour metastasis, the dysregulation of miRNA expression in cancer development and the development of miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

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  1. Department of Oncology, Bao Di Hospital, Bao Di Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Guang Chuan Road, Bao Di, Tian Jin, People’s Republic of China

    WenCheng Zhang, Jinbo Liu & Guangshun Wang

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  1. WenCheng Zhang
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  2. Jinbo Liu
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Correspondence to Guangshun Wang.

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WenCheng Zhang is the first author.

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Zhang, W., Liu, J. & Wang, G. The role of microRNAs in human breast cancer progression. Tumor Biol. 35, 6235–6244 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2202-8

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Keywords

  • MicroRNA
  • Breast cancer
  • Biomarker
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms
  • Metastasis