title: MicroRNAs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: miRacle or miRage for prognosis and targeted therapies?
abstract: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease and has a highly variable clinical course with survival ranging from a couple of months to several decades. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate transcription and translation of genes, have been found to be involved in CLL initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. In addition, they can be used as prognostic biomarkers and as targets for novel therapies. In this review, we describe the association between miRNAs and the cytogenetic aberrations commonly found in CLL, as well as with other prognostic factors. We describe the presence of miRNAs as extracellular entities in the plasma and serum of CLL patients and discuss their role in resistance to therapy. Finally, we will explore the potential of targeted miRNA therapy for the treatment of CLL, with a special emphasis on MRX34, the first miRNA mimic that is currently being evaluated for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Roosbroeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address: gcalin@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Calin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic / Q000187:drug effects; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Biomarker; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; MicroRNA; Targeted therapy; miR-34 mimic