The role of micro-RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: from molecular biology to treatment.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer deaths. microRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small non-coding RNA that negatively regulate gene expression and protein translation. Recent evidences have shown that they are involved in many biological processes, from development and cell-cycle regulation to apoptosis. miRNAs can behave as tumor suppressor or promoter of oncogenesis depending on the cellular function of their targets. Moreover, they are frequently dysregulated in HCC. In this review we summarize the latest findings of miRNAs regulation in HCC and their role as potentially diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for HCC. We highlight development of miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets for HCC.
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. m.danzeo@gmail.com.
Marco
M
D'Anzeo
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. lucafaloppi@gmail.com.
Luca
L
Faloppi
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. marioscartozzi@gmail.com.
Mario
M
Scartozzi
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. kakeru@libero.it.
Riccardo
R
Giampieri
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. stellabianconi@gmail.com.
Maristella
M
Bianconi
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. micheladelprete@gmail.com.
Michela
M
Del Prete
Istituto Oncologico "Giovanni Paolo II", I.R.C.S.S. Ospedale Oncologico di Bari, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy. n.silvestris@oncologico.bari.it.
Nicola
N
Silvestris
Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti" Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy. cascinu@yahoo.com.
Stefano
S
Cascinu
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs