Review
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World J Methodol. Jun 26, 2014; 4(2): 59-72
Published online Jun 26, 2014. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v4.i2.59
MicroRNAs in lung cancer
Pooja Joshi, Justin Middleton, Young-Jun Jeon, Michela Garofalo
Pooja Joshi, Justin Middleton, Young-Jun Jeon, Michela Garofalo, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Michela Garofalo, Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Joshi P and Middleton J contributed equally to the manuscript and designed figures; Jeon YJ contributed to the manuscript and figure design; Garofalo M developed the concept and edited.
Correspondence to: Michela Garofalo, PhD, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 460 West 12th Street, BRT 992, Columbus, OH 43210,United States. michela.garofalo@cruk.manchester.ac.uk
Telephone: +1-614-6883418 Fax: +1-614-2924097
Received: November 28, 2013
Revised: January 23, 2014
Accepted: March 17, 2014
Published online: June 26, 2014
Abstract

MicroRNAs have become recognized as key players in the development of cancer. They are a family of small non-coding RNAs that can negatively regulate the expression of cancer-related genes by sequence-selective targeting of mRNAs, leading to either mRNA degradation or translational repression. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide with a substantially low survival rate. MicroRNAs have been confirmed to play roles in lung cancer development, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and response to therapy. They are also being studied for their future use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as potential therapeutic targets. In this review we focus on the role of dysregulated microRNA expression in lung tumorigenesis. We also discuss the role of microRNAs in therapeutic resistance and as biomarkers. We further look into the progress made and challenges remaining in using microRNAs for therapy in lung cancer.

Keywords: Lung cancer, MicroRNA, MiRNA

Core tip: Lung cancer is a prolific and high mortality disease, with few effective treatments. MicroRNAs have a role in the biogenesis and maintenance of lung cancer, with oncogenic and tumor suppressive effects. They are also a significant factor in resistance to current forms of therapy. There is evidence that microRNAs will be useful as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in the future and, if delivery challenges can be overcome, they may become integrated into treatments.