microRNAs in gliomas: small regulators of a big problem.
Gliomas are the most common form of primary brain tumors and are associated with a poor clinical outcome. The molecular mechanisms that contribute to gliomagenesis have become increasingly clear in recent years, yet much remains to be learned. This is particularly true for the role of microRNAs in gliomagenesis, as an appreciation for the significance of aberrant miRNA expression in human cancer has only emerged in the last 5 years. It is now evident that microRNAs regulate a wide variety of tumorigenic processes including cellular proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, invasion, and apoptosis. Here we review the current state of knowledge related to the role of microRNAs in glial tumor development. This is a rapidly evolving field and it is likely that we have only begun to appreciate the involvement of microRNAs in relation to glioma formation, and the therapeutic potential of microRNAs to improve outcome for glioma patients.
Silber
Joachim
J
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 92121, USA.
James
C David
CD
Hodgson
J Graeme
JG
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics
D035683:MicroRNAs