Recent progress on miRNAs in the pathogenesis of colon cancer / 中华医学遗传学杂志

ABSTRACT

microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small noncoding RNA molecules discovered in animals, plants and viruses. They play a critical role in developmental and physiological processes and are implicated in the pathogenesis of many human cancers. Presently, human cancer, including colorectal cancer, is recognized as both a genetic and epigenetic disease. Changes induced by miRNAs are considered as epigenetic changes. Experiments were largely performed to analyze the colorectal microRNAome and bio-networking involving miRNAs. This review focuses on recent advances in colorectal miRNA expression profiles. Further, we discuss the regulatory network of miRNAs in the initiation and carcinogenesis of colon cancer in order to open up an avenue of anticancer therapy based on the epigenetic regulation by miRNAs.