Disease progression role as well as the diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA-21 in patients with cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

miRNAs that regulate apoptosis in breast cancer and cervical cancer

In today's world, one of the main problems is cancer, which still has a long way to go to cure it, and it brings a lot of financial and emotional costs to the people of society and governments. Breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC), two of the most common cancers, are caused by several genetic and environmental factors in women. These two cancers' involvement rate is higher than other cancers in women. microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules with a length of 18 to 24 nucleotides, which play an important role in post-translational changes. miRNAs themselves are divided into two categories, oncomiRs and tumor suppressors. OncomiRs have a part in tumor expansion and tumor suppressors prevent tumor development and progress. miRNAs can control cellular processes by regulating various pathways including autophagy, apoptosis, and signaling. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that includes intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and is different from other cell death pathways such as necrosis and ferroptosis. Apoptosis controls the growth, differentiation, and death of cells by regulating the death of damaged and old cells, and since miRNAs are one of the factors that regulate apoptosis, and divided into two categories: pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic. We decided in this study to investigate the relationship between miRNAs and apoptosis in the most common women's cancers, BC and CC.

mRNA-lncRNA gene expression signature in HPV-associated neoplasia and cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in women and is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) in 70 % of cases. Cervical cancer occurs because of progression of low-differentiated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia through grade 2 and 3 lesions. Along with the protein-coding genes, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the development of malignant cell transformation. Although human papillomavirus is widespread, there is currently no well-characterized transcriptomic signature to predict whether this tumor will develop in the presence of HPV-associated neoplastic changes in the cervical epithelium. Changes in gene activity in tumors reflect the biological diversity of cellular phenotype and physiological functions and can be an important diagnostic marker. We performed comparative transcriptome analysis using open RNA sequencing data to assess differentially expressed genes between normal tissue, neoplastic epithelium, and cervical cancer. Raw data were preprocessed using the Galaxy platform. Batch effect correction, identification of differentially expressed genes, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed using R programming language packages. Subcellular localization of lncRNA was analyzed using Locate-R and iLoc-LncRNA 2.0 web services. 1,572 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were recorded in the "cancer vs. control" comparison, and 1,260 DEGs were recorded in the "cancer vs. neoplasia" comparison. Only two genes were observed to be differentially expressed in the "neoplasia vs. control" comparison. The search for common genes among the most strongly differentially expressed genes among all comparison groups resulted in the identification of an expression signature consisting of the CCL20, CDKN2A, CTCFL, piR-55219, TRH, SLC27A6 and EPHA5 genes. The transcription level of the CCL20 and CDKN2A genes becomes increased at the stage of neoplastic epithelial changes and stays so in cervical cancer. Validation on an independent microarray dataset showed that the differential expression patterns of the CDKN2A and SLC27A6 genes were conserved in the respective gene expression comparisons between groups.

Non-coding RNAs in gynecologic cancer

The term "gynecologic cancer" pertains to neoplasms impacting the reproductive tissues and organs of women encompassing the endometrium, vagina, cervix, uterus, vulva, and ovaries. The progression of gynecologic cancer is linked to various molecular mechanisms. Historically, cancer research primarily focused on protein-coding genes. However, recent years have unveiled the involvement of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), and circular RNAs, in modulating cellular functions within gynecological cancer. Substantial evidence suggests that ncRNAs may wield a dual role in gynecological cancer, acting as either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive agents. Numerous clinical trials are presently investigating the roles of ncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. These endeavors may introduce a fresh perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancer. In this overview, we highlight some of the ncRNAs associated with gynecological cancers.

Smoking induces WEE1 expression to promote docetaxel resistance in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) patients have poor clinical outcomes, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 20%. Smoking is a significant risk factor for EAC. The role of WEE1, a nuclear kinase that negatively regulates the cell cycle in normal conditions, in EAC tumorigenesis and drug resistance is not fully understood. Immunohistochemistry staining shows significant WEE1 overexpression in human EAC tissues. Nicotine, nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone, or 2% cigarette smoke extract treatment induces WEE1 protein expression in EAC, detected by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. qRT-PCR and reporter assay indicates that smoking induces WEE1 expression through miR-195-5p downregulation in EAC. ATP-Glo cell viability and clonogenic assay confirmed that WEE1 inhibition sensitizes EAC cells to docetaxel treatment in vitro. A TE-10 smoking machine with EAC patient-derived xenograft mouse model demonstrated that smoking induces WEE1 protein expression and resistance to docetaxel in vivo. MK-1775 and docetaxel combined treatment improves EAC patient-derived xenograft mouse survival in vivo. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that smoking-induced WEE1 overexpression through miRNA dysregulation in EAC plays an essential role in EAC drug resistance. WEE1 inhibition is a promising therapeutic method to overcome drug resistance and target treatment refractory cancer cells.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer

Aim: This study aimed to critically appraise the evidence of the diagnostic effectiveness of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer. Methods & materials: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. An umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses of individual biomarkers was performed. A Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment of evidence was also performed. Results: A total of 52 miRNAs were included. Umbrella meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in terms of sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), positive predictive value and/or negative predictive value. Umbrella effects were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.73-0.78), 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.81), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75-0.80), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.74-0.79), respectively. Conclusion: Moderate quality evidence suggested miR199a-5p, miR21-5p and miR-141a had excellent diagnostic performance.

Milk Exosomal microRNAs: Postnatal Promoters of β Cell Proliferation but Potential Inducers of β Cell De-Differentiation in Adult Life

Pancreatic β cell expansion and functional maturation during the birth-to-weaning period is driven by epigenetic programs primarily triggered by growth factors, hormones, and nutrients provided by human milk. As shown recently, exosomes derived from various origins interact with β cells. This review elucidates the potential role of milk-derived exosomes (MEX) and their microRNAs (miRs) on pancreatic β cell programming during the postnatal period of lactation as well as during continuous cow milk exposure of adult humans to bovine MEX. Mechanistic evidence suggests that MEX miRs stimulate mTORC1/c-MYC-dependent postnatal β cell proliferation and glycolysis, but attenuate β cell differentiation, mitochondrial function, and insulin synthesis and secretion. MEX miR content is negatively affected by maternal obesity, gestational diabetes, psychological stress, caesarean delivery, and is completely absent in infant formula. Weaning-related disappearance of MEX miRs may be the critical event switching β cells from proliferation to TGF-β/AMPK-mediated cell differentiation, whereas continued exposure of adult humans to bovine MEX miRs via intake of pasteurized cow milk may reverse β cell differentiation, promoting β cell de-differentiation. Whereas MEX miR signaling supports postnatal β cell proliferation (diabetes prevention), persistent bovine MEX exposure after the lactation period may de-differentiate β cells back to the postnatal phenotype (diabetes induction).