| Abstrakt: |
The field of cancer research has received invaluable gifts over the last few decades through novel innovations in molecular understanding and drug development. One area that is currently receiving much attention is that of microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNAs are small, non-coding molecules that inhibit gene expression post-transcriptionally, and emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. These developments could serve as the catalyst for further research focusing on finding a possible molecular link between miRNAs and cancer. This revolutionary research in the field of cancer has shown great promise in understanding the regulatory role of miRNAs in the development and progression of cancer, emphasizing its biochemical and pathological implications, and in particular, its significant role in cancer invasion and metastasis. For example, it has now been widely accepted that certain miRNAs are oncogenic while others act as tumor suppressors. Additionally, studies have shown that miRNAs can be used to alter sensitivity of drug-resistant tumor cells in order to improve the effects of conventional therapeutics. Furthermore, natural agents have been shown to alter miRNA expression, leading to possible inhibition of cancer cell growth and induction of apoptosis, which may contribute to the inhibition of tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastases. Therefore, selective up- and down-regulation of miRNAs holds a great promise for cancer therapy especially for those patients with invasive and metastatic disease. In this chapter, we will summarize the state of our knowledge regarding the role of miRNAs in cancer invasion and metastasis, and will also provide some information on how miRNAs could be regulated for therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
