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MicroRNAs and Cancer Stem Cells

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MicroRNAs in Cancer Translational Research

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are believed to play important roles during tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. Growing evidence has shown altered regulation of miRNAs in cancer stem cell populations. In this chapter, the expression profiles of miRNA in embryonic stem cells and cancer stem cells are summarized. The individual miRNAs which may regulate cancer stem cells and their target genes are described. Several miRNAs, including miR-302 and miR-181, function to promote the cancer stem cell phenotype. Conversely, other miRNAs including let-7, miR-145, miR-200 family, miR-203, miR-128, miR-34, and miR-199b, suppress stemness and promote differentiation of cancer stem cells. The recent evidence for a role of miRNA in regulating cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cancer metastasis are described. We introduce the potential of miRNA for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics based on current tests and studies of miRNA treatment on cancer. The current challenges to apply miRNA-based cancer therapeutics are also discussed with an emphasis on recent evidence for miRNA-mediated heterotypic signals. The miRNA regulation of factors that are secreted into the blood stream creates an attractive new approach to managing miRNA-driven disease processes.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by awards from National Institutes of Health [R01CA70896, R01CA75503, and R01CA86072 to R.G.P.]. Work conducted at the Kimmel Cancer Center was supported by the NIH Cancer Center Core grant [P30CA56036 to R.G.P.]. This project is supported by a generous grant from the Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Medical Research Trust and was funded and supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions.

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  1. Department of Cancer Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Zuoren Yu

  2. Departments of Cancer Biology and Medical Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Richard G. Pestell

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  1. Zuoren Yu
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  2. Richard G. Pestell
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Correspondence to Richard G. Pestell .

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  1. , Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Hong Kong SAR, China, People's Republic

    William C.S. Cho

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Yu, Z., Pestell, R.G. (2011). MicroRNAs and Cancer Stem Cells. In: Cho, W. (eds) MicroRNAs in Cancer Translational Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0298-1_16

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