Targeted gene therapy for cancer: the impact of microRNA multipotentiality.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease and its management is difficult due to its complex nature. Cancer is characterized by genomic instability and tumor-associated inflammation of the supporting stoma. With the advances in omics science, a treatment strategy for cancer has emerged, which is based on targeting cancer-driving molecules, known as targeted therapy. Gene therapy, a form of targeted therapy, is the introduction of nucleic acids into living cells to replace a defective gene, promote or repress gene expression to treat a disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that regulate gene expression and thus are involved in physiological processes like cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. miRNAs control the actions of many genes. They are deregulated in cancer and their abnormal expression influences genetic and epigenetic alterations inducing carcinogenesis. In this review, we will explain the role of miRNAs in normal and abnormal gene expression and their usefulness in monitoring cancer patients. Besides, we will discuss miRNA-based therapy as a method of gene therapy and its impact on the success of cancer management.

Bilateral collagenous fibroma of the hard palate: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Collagenous fibroma or desmoplastic fibroblastoma is a rare benign fibrous tissue tumor. It usually presents as a painless, slowly growing mass. Collagenous fibroma arises ordinarily inside the subcutaneous tissues or skeletal muscles. Histopathologically, the tumor consists of scattered stellate and spindle cells in a hypovascular collagenous stroma without atypia or infiltration. The oral cavity is a very uncommon site for desmoplastic fibroblastoma. Only 15 published articles in the literature reported the intraoral location. We present a case of collagenous fibroma with a bilateral distribution on the hard palate. This is the second case of bilateral collagenous fibroma after a previously reported one in literature; however, our case was larger, occupying almost the whole palate. We discuss the management of this rare tumor and how we can reach definite diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old Caucasian female patient had a huge bilateral firm palatal mass that caused breathing problems. There was no history of trauma and the patient had no relevant medical history Total surgical excision under general anesthesia was carried out and histopathological examination suggested a benign mesenchymal tumor. Immunohistochemistry was necessary to confirm the tumor origin and to exclude aggressive fibromatosis. A diagnosis of bilateral collagenous fibroma was reached. Six months after surgery, there was no recurring lesion and the patient's health was good. CONCLUSIONS: Collagenous fibroma is a benign fibrous tissue tumor of unknown cause that is treated with simple excision. The prognosis is good with no recurrence. Reaching an accurate diagnosis is mandatory to avoid aggressive treatment since collagenous fibroma may be misdiagnosed as aggressive fibromatosis in case of massive size. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this unusual tumor for conservative management without side effects.