The malignant phenotype-associated microRNA in gastroenteric, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a newly discovered class of small and endogenous non-coding RNAs. Many miRNAs exhibit altered expression levels in cancer, and they can affect the cancerous phenotype of malignant cells.


METHODS
We review the recent advances in miRNA involvement in human gastroenteric tumor and analyze the clinical and therapeutic opportunities they provide. We envisage future developments toward molecular mechanisms of miRNAs and their potential applications to cancer treatment.


RESULTS
MiRNAs may reasonably become novel anticancer tools. More investigations should be performed to promote the success of therapeutic-clinical use of miRNAs in cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies should focus on identification of new miRNAs and targets, the function and mechanism of miRNA-regulated cancer pathogenesis, the reliable delivery strategy and the novel type of miRNA-based therapy.
Fourth Military Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. hlhyhj@126.com
Liu
L
Hong
Yu
Y
Han
Shujun
S
Li
Jianjun
J
Yang
Jianyong
J
Zheng
Hongwei
H
Zhang
Qingchuan
Q
Zhao
Kaichun
K
Wu
Daiming
D
Fan
D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D035683:MicroRNAs