Non-coding RNAs for medical practice in oncology.
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) and other short or long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) are       involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of human cancer. The main molecular       alterations result from variations in gene expression, which are usually minor but have       consequences for a vast number of target protein-coding genes. The causes of the widespread       differential expression of ncRNAs in malignant cells compared with normal cells can be       explained by the location of these genes in genomic regions associated with cancer, by       epigenetic mechanisms, and by alterations in the processing machinery. Expression profiling of       human tumors based on the expression of miRNAs and other short or long ncRNAs has identified       signatures associated with diagnosis, staging, progression, prognosis, and response to       treatment. In addition, profiling has been exploited to identify ncRNAs that may represent       downstream targets of activated oncogenic pathways or that target protein-coding genes       involved in cancer. Recent studies found that miRNAs and non-coding ultraconserved genes are       the main candidates for the elusive class of cancer-predisposing genes and that other types of       ncRNAs participate in the genetic puzzle that gives rise to the malignant phenotype. These       discoveries could be exploited for the development of useful markers for diagnosis and       prognosis in cancer, as well as for the development of new RNA-based cancer therapies.
Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Tetsuro
T
Setoyama
Hui
H
Ling
Shoji
S
Natsugoe
George A
GA
Calin
D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009857:Oncogenes; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D022661:RNA, Untranslated