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MicroRNA profiles and initiation, diagnosis and treatment of cancers in digestive organs
Xin Li, Xiao-Qing Li, Shi-Ang Huang
Xin Li, Xiao-Qing Li, Shi-Ang Huang, Stem Cell Center, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory for Bio-targeted Therapy of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Supported by: the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, No. 30225038.
Correspondence to: Shi-Ang Huang, Stem Cell Center, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Key Lab for Bio-targeted Therapy of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China. sa2huang@hotmail.com
Received: February 8, 2007 Revised: February 1, 2007 Accepted: February 21, 2007 Published online: April 18, 2007
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of small non-coding RNA containin 21 to 23 nucleotides in length that down-regulates gene expression during various crucial cell processes such as development, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Recent studies supported an important role of miRNA in the initiation and progression of human malignancies. Some miRNAs may function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. It is found that several miRNAs are directly involved in human cancers of digestive organs, including liver, colon, stomach, pancreas and bile duct. In addition, miRNA expression profiling of tumors in digestive organs has identified signatures associated with diagnosis, staging, progression, prognosis and response to treatment. Profiling has also been exploited to identify miRNA genes that might represent downstream targets of activated oncogenic pathways, or target protein coding genes involved in cancer. Moveover, miRNA-mediated therapy may be a powerful tool for cancer prevention and therapy.
Key Words: MicroRNA; Expression profile; Tumor; Digestive organ
Citation: Li X, Li XQ, Huang SA. MicroRNA profiles and initiation, diagnosis and treatment of cancers in digestive organs. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2007; 15(11): 1241-1245
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