title: The role of microRNAs in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still the third most common cancer in the world. Mechanism of CRC tumorigenesis has been widely studied at the molecular levels, and has been recently entered the area of microRNAs. MicroRNAs are small 19 to 22 nucleotides of RNA that engage in the regulation of cell differentiation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression. MicroRNAs are similar to small interfering RNA (siRNA), that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and control various cellular mechanisms. They are important factors in the carcinogenesis of CRC, one of the most important factors includes microRNA. MicroRNAs have been linked to CRC development, and these molecules have been recently studied as new potential biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of CRC. Specific microRNA expression patterns help distinguish CRC from other colon related disease, and may be used as a prognostication factor in patients after treatment with different chemotherapy drugs. More over the newest molecular therapy via tumor suppressor micro RNA replacement can be new insight in molecular therapy of CRC. This review summarizes the potential roles of microRNAs as potential biomarkers for CRC diagnosis, and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mansoori
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: Behzad_im@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baradaran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Diagnosis; MicroRNA; Replacement therapy