title: Mir-34: a new weapon against cancer?
abstract: The microRNA(miRNA)-34a is a key regulator of tumor suppression. It controls the expression of a plethora of target proteins involved in cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis, and antagonizes processes that are necessary for basic cancer cell viability as well as cancer stemness, metastasis, and chemoresistance. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms of miR-34a-mediated tumor suppression, giving emphasis on the main miR-34a targets, as well as on the principal regulators involved in the modulation of this miRNA. Moreover, we shed light on the miR-34a role in modulating responsiveness to chemotherapy and on the phytonutrients-mediated regulation of miR-34a expression and activity in cancer cells. Given the broad anti-oncogenic activity of miR-34a, we also discuss the substantial benefits of a new therapeutic concept based on nanotechnology delivery of miRNA mimics. In fact, the replacement of oncosuppressor miRNAs provides an effective strategy against tumor heterogeneity and the selective RNA-based delivery systems seems to be an excellent platform for a safe and effective targeting of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Misso
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Medical OncologyUnit, T. Campanella Cancer Center, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Di Martino
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University "Federico II" of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ammad Ahmad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Farooqi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University "Federico II" of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Campani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mayra Rachele
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zarone
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Medical OncologyUnit, T. Campanella Cancer Center, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gullà
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Medical OncologyUnit, T. Campanella Cancer Center, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierosandro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tagliaferri
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Medical OncologyUnit, T. Campanella Cancer Center, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy [2] Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tassone
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Medical OncologyUnit, T. Campanella Cancer Center, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy [2] Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caraglia