title: MicroRNAs: A Puzzling Tool in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a dominating class of small RNAs that regulate diverse cellular functions. Due the pivotal role of miRNAs in biological processes, a deregulated miRNA expression is likely involved in human cancers. MicroRNAs possess tumor suppressor capability, as well as display oncogenic characteristics. Interestingly, miRNAs exist in various biological fluids as circulating entities. Changes in the profile of circulating miRNAs are indicative of pathophysiological conditions in human cancer. This concept has led to consider circulating miRNAs valid biomarkers in cancer diagnostics. Furthermore, current research promotes the use of miRNAs as a target in cancer therapy. However, miRNAs are an evolving research field. Although miRNAs have been demonstrated to be potentially valuable tools both in cancer diagnosis and treatment, a greater effort should be made to improve our understanding of miRNAs biology. This review describes the biology of microRNAs, emphasizing on the use of miRNAs in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
authors: Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. giordano@temple.edu barbara.dangelo@temple.edu.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: D'Angelo
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Benedetti
authors: Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.|Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.|National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), Assergi, Italy.
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Cimini
authors: Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. giordano@temple.edu barbara.dangelo@temple.edu.|Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Giordano
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: MicroRNAs; cancer; circulating microRNAs; review