title: The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epigenetics seem to play a primary role in the current research on the pathogenesis of different types of endometrial cancer. Data so far indicate that microRNAs regulate different pathways that could lead to carcinogenesis when not functioning properly. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on microRNAs that have been associated with endometrial cancer development.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2014 to August 2014, we conducted a comprehensive research utilizing major online search engines (Pubmed, Crossref, Google Scholar). The main keywords used in our search were endometrial cancer/carcinoma; microRNA; epigenetics; novel biomarkers; pathogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, we identified 155 studies, although only 77 were eligible for this review. Different miRNAs were identified to contribute either promoting the carcinogenesis in the endometrium or inhibiting different steps of endometrial cancer development. Tumour growth, cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion metastasis have been identified as the main processes where miRNAs seem to be implicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  microRNAs are effective regulators of gene expression that has a significant role in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer. Research concerning possible therapeutic implications has been promising, although there is still a significant distance to be covered between research observations and clinical results. Extensive preclinical and translational research is still required to improve the efficacy and minimize unwanted effects of miRNAs-based therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Areteion Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece, argirisianou@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Argiri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sianou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galyfos
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moragianni
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andromidas
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaparos
authors.forename: Stavroula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs