The Protective Role of miR-125b in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Unraveling Tumor-Suppressive Mechanisms.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression, playing pivotal roles in various biological processes, including cancer development and progression. Among them, miR-125b has garnered significant attention due to its multifaceted functional roles in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Extensive research has revealed that miR-125b plays a dual role in HCC, acting as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene depending on the context. As a tumor suppressor, miR-125b exerts its inhibitory effects on HCC by targeting key oncogenic pathways and genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Its downregulation in HCC is frequently observed and correlates with aggressive tumor characteristics and poor prognosis. Conversely, miR-125b can also function as an oncogene in specific HCC subtypes or under certain conditions. It has been shown to promote HCC growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance by targeting tumor suppressor genes, modulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and enhancing cancer stem cell-like properties. The upregulation of miR-125b in HCC has been associated with advanced disease stages and unfavorable clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the dysregulation of miR-125b expression in HCC is influenced by a complex network of regulatory mechanisms. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is crucial for deciphering the precise functional roles of miR-125b in HCC and exploring its potential as a diagnostic biomarker or therapeutic target. In the current review study, we comprehensively elucidated the diverse functional roles of miR-125b in HCC, providing a comprehensive overview of its regulatory mechanisms and impact on key cellular processes involved in HCC progression.

The emerging roles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in gynecologic cancers.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has gained significant recognition as a pivotal contributor to the initiation and advancement of gynecologic cancers, encompassing ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and breast cancers. H19 exhibits a complex array of mechanisms, demonstrating dualistic effects on tumorigenesis as it can function as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor, contingent upon the specific context and type of cancer being investigated. In ovarian cancer, H19 promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance through modulation of key signaling pathways and interaction with microRNAs. Conversely, in endometrial cancer, H19 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, H19 has been implicated in cervical and breast cancers, where it influences cell proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion. Moreover, H19 has potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gynecologic cancers, with its expression levels correlating with clinical parameters and patient outcomes. Understanding the functional roles of H19 in gynecologic cancers is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies and personalized treatment approaches. Further investigation into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying H19's involvement in gynecologic malignancies is warranted to fully unravel its therapeutic potential and clinical implications. This review aims to elucidate the functional roles of H19 in various gynecologic malignancies.

Potential roles of lncRNA-XIST/miRNAs/mRNAs in human cancer cells.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that contain more than 200 nucleotides but do not code for proteins. In tumorigenesis, lncRNAs can have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive properties. X inactive-specific transcript (XIST) is a known lncRNA that has been implicated in X chromosome silencing in female cells. Dysregulation of XIST is associated with an increased risk of various cancers. Therefore, XIST can be a beneficial prognostic biomarker for human malignancies. In this review, we attempt to summarize the emerging roles of XIST in human cancers.

Functional roles of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in gynecologic cancers.

Gynecologic cancers are reproductive disorders characterized by pelvic pain and infertility. The identification of new predictive markers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of gynecologic cancers is urgently necessary. One of the recent successes in gynecologic cancers research is identifying the role of signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent experiments showed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) can be novel therapeutic approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers. LncRNA are transcribed RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in multiple biological processes by regulating the different steps of gene expression. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1) is a well-known lncRNA that plays functional roles in gene expression, RNA processing, and epigenetic regulation. High expression of MALAT1 is closely related to numerous human diseases. It is generally believed that MALAT1 expression is associated with cancer cell growth, autophagy, invasion, and metastasis. MALAT1 by targeting multiple signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) could contribute to the pathogenesis of gynecologic cancers. In this review, we will summarize functional roles of MALAT1 in the most common gynecologic cancers, including endometrium, breast, ovary, and cervix.