title: Emerging role of microRNA-21 in cancer.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules of 15-27 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression at the post-translational level. miR-21 is one of the earliest identified cancer-promoting 'oncomiRs', targeting numerous tumor suppressor genes associated with proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. The regulation of miR-21 and its role in carcinogenesis have been extensively investigated. Recent studies have focused on the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-21 as well as its implication in the drug resistance of human malignancies. The further use of miR-21 as a biomarker and target for cancer treatments is likely to improve the outcome for patients with cancer. The present review highlights recent findings associated with the importance of miR-21 in hematological and non-hematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Life Science, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 71703, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Yin-Hsun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan 73657, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Chao-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tsao
keywords: carcinogenesis; hematological malignancy; microRNA-21