The roles of microRNAs in neuroblastoma.
BACKGROUND
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and displays remarkable heterogeneity in clinical behaviors, ranging from spontaneous regression to rapid progression or resistance to multimodal treatment. Recent evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, are involved in tumor development and progression. This article aimed to review recent advances in investigating the roles of miRNAs in NB.


METHODS
We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE database for articles about the expression profile, functions and target genes of miRNAs in NB.


RESULTS
We reviewed the most recent evidence regarding the functional roles of oncogenic and tumor suppressive miRNAs in NB and application of novel miRNA-based methods for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.


CONCLUSIONS
Deregulation of miRNAs is associated with the development and progression of NB, suggesting that miRNAs may serve as novel targets for the treatment of high-risk NB patients. However, their precise functions and underlying mechanisms still warrant further studies.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
Hong
H
Mei
Zhen-Yu
ZY
Lin
Qiang-Song
QS
Tong
D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis
D035683:MicroRNAs