MicroRNAs--the micro steering wheel of tumour metastases.
Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been discovered to have a role in metastasis. Here we describe how miRNAs are involved in advanced stages of tumour progression, stressing their roles as metastasis activators or suppressors, and discuss their possible use in the clinic as predictive markers and as therapeutic strategies for patients with metastases. Furthermore, we develop the concept that the same miRNAs could be involved both in the cancer stem cell phenotype and in the ability of specific cancer cells to produce metastases, thus representing a mechanistic link between the initial and the final steps of tumorigenesis.
Nicoloso
Milena S
MS
Experimental Therapeutics Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Spizzo
Riccardo
R
Shimizu
Masayoshi
M
Rossi
Simona
S
Calin
George A
GA
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs