title: Non-coding RNAs Functioning in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells.
abstract: In recent years, the hypothesis of the presence of tumor-initiating cancer stem cells (CSCs) has received a considerable support. This model suggested the existence of CSCs which, thanks to their self-renewal properties, are able to drive the expansion and the maintenance of malignant cell populations with invasive and metastatic potential in cancer. Increasing evidence showed the ability of such cells to acquire self-renewal, multipotency, angiogenic potential, immune evasion, symmetrical and asymmetrical divisions which, along with the presence of several DNA repair mechanisms, further enhance their oncogenic potential making them highly resistant to common anticancer treatments. The main signaling pathways involved in the homeostasis of colorectal (CRC) stem cells are the Wnt, Notch, Sonic Hedgehog, and Bone Morfogenic Protein (BMP) pathways, which are mostly responsible for all the features that have been widely referred to stem cells. The same pathways have been identified in colorectal cancer stem cells (CRCSCs), conferring a more aggressive phenotype compared to non-stem CRC cells. Recently, several evidences suggested that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) may play a crucial role in the regulation of different biological mechanisms in CRC, by modulating the expression of critical stem cell transcription factors that have been found active in CSCs. In this chapter, we will discuss the involvement of ncRNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in stemness acquisition and maintenance by CRCSCs, through the regulation of pathways modulating the CSC phenotype and growth, carcinogenesis, differentiation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Fanale
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Barraco
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Listì
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Viviana
authors: V
authors: Bazan
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy. antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Russo
mesh_terms: D000066673:Cell Self Renewal; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D035703:Therapies, Investigational; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Cancer stem cells; Colorectal cancer; Differentiation; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; MicroRNAs; Non-coding RNAs; Self-renewal; Signaling pathways; Stemness; Tumorigenicity