MicroRNA-126 inhibits the migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells by targeting insulin receptor substrate 1

The MCM3AP-AS1/miR-126/VEGF axis regulates cancer cell invasion and migration in endometrioid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MCM3AP-AS1 plays an oncogenic role in several malignancies, but its role in endometrioid carcinoma (EC) is unclear. This study was carried out to explore the role of MCM3AP-AS1 in EC.

METHODS

A total of 60 EC patients were enrolled in this study. Expression levels of MCM3AP Antisense RNA 1 (MCM3AP-AS1), microRNA-126 (miR-126), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tissues and transfetced cells were measured by RT-qPCR. Cell transfections were performed to explore the interaction among MCM3AP-AS1, miR-126 and VEGF. Transwell assays were perfromed to evaluate the invasion and migration abilities of HEC-1 cells after transfection.

RESULTS

MCM3AP-AS1 was upregulated in EC and predicted poor survival. MCM3AP-AS1 directly interacted with miR-126. In EC cells, overexpression of MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-126 did not significantly affect the expression of each other. In addition, overexpression of MCM3AP-AS1 increased the expression levels of VEGF, a target of miR-126. Moreover, overexpression of MCM3AP-AS1 and VEGF increased the migration and invasion rates of EC cells, while overexpression of miR-126 suppressed these cell behaviors. Overexpression of MCM3AP-AS1 attenuated the role of miR-126 in cell invasion and migration.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, MCM3AP-AS1 may serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-126 to upregulate VEGF, thereby regulating cancer cell behaviors in EC.

The Role of miRNAs in the Regulation of Endometrial Cancer Invasiveness and Metastasis-A Systematic Review

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common genital cancer in women with increasing death rates. MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression on the post-transcriptional levels. Multiple studies demonstrated a fundamental role of miRNAs in the regulation of carcinogenesis. This systematic review is a comprehensive overview of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis in EC. The literature was searched for studies investigating the role of miRNAs in the regulation of invasiveness and metastasis in EC. We explored PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using the following keywords: miRNA, metastasis, invasiveness, endometrial cancer. Data were collected from 163 articles that described the expression and role of 106 miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis out of which 63 were tumor suppressor miRNAs, and 38 were oncomiRNAs. Five miRNAs had a discordant role in different studies. Moreover, we identified 66 miRNAs whose expression in tumor tissue or concentration in serum correlated with at least one clinical parameter. These findings suggest a crucial role of miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis and present them as potential prognostic factors for patients with EC.

MicroRNA as Epigenetic Modifiers in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 2nd most common gynecologic cancer worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that contribute to epigenetic regulation. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize our current knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the epigenetic deregulation of tumor-related genes in EC. It includes all miRNAs reported to be involved in EC including their roles in DNA methylation and RNA-associated silencing. This systematic review should be useful for development of novel strategies to improve diagnosis and risk assessment as well as for new treatments aimed at miRNAs, their target genes or DNA methylation.

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review is to summarize our current knowledge on the influence of miRNAs in the epigenetic deregulation of tumor-related genes in endometrial cancer (EC). We conducted a literature search on the role of miRNAs in the epigenetic regulation of EC applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following terms were used: microRNA, miRNA, miR, endometrial cancer, endometrium, epigenetic, epimutation, hypermethylation, lynch, deacetylase, DICER, novel biomarker, histone, chromatin. The miRNAs were classified and are presented according to their function (tumor suppressor or onco-miRNA), their targets (when known), their expression levels in EC tissue vs the normal surrounding tissue, and the degree of DNA methylation in miRNA loci and CpG sites. Data were collected from 201 articles, including 190 original articles, published between November 1, 2008 and September 30, 2020 identifying 313 different miRNAs implicated in epigenetic regulation of EC. Overall, we identified a total of 148 miRNAs with decreased expression in EC, 140 miRNAs with increased expression in EC, and 22 miRNAs with discordant expression levels. The literature implicated different epigenetic phenomena including altered miRNA expression levels (miR-182, -230), changes in the methylation of miRNA loci (miR-34b, -129-2, -130a/b, -152, -200b, -625) and increased/decreased methylation of target genes (miR-30d,-191). This work provides an overview of all miRNAs reported to be involved in epigenetic regulation in EC including DNA methylation and RNA-associated silencing. These findings may contribute to novel strategies in diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatments aimed at miRNAs, their target genes or DNA methylation.

Small Non-Coding-RNA in Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecologic malignancies, which include cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tube, are among the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, with the most prevalent being endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic malignancies are complex, heterogeneous diseases, and despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development and pathology remain largely unclear. Currently, mechanistic and therapeutic research in cancer is largely focused on protein targets that are encoded by about 1% of the human genome. Our current understanding of 99% of the genome, which includes noncoding RNA, is limited. The discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), possessing either structural or regulatory functions, has fundamentally altered our understanding of genetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment as they relate to gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, it has become clear that ncRNAs are relatively stable, and can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as guide therapy choices. Here we discuss the role of small non-coding RNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRs), P-Element induced wimpy testis interacting (PIWI) RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA-derived small RNAs in gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.

Insulin Resistance and Endometrial Cancer: Emerging Role for microRNA

Endometrial cancer (EC) remains one of the most common cancers of the female reproductive system. Epidemiological and clinical data implicate insulin resistance (IR) and its accompanying hyperinsulinemia as key factors in the development of EC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short molecules of non-coding endogenous RNA that function as post-transcriptional regulators. Accumulating evidence has shown that the miRNA expression pattern is also likely to be associated with EC risk factors. The aim of this work was the verification of the relationships between IR, EC, and miRNA, and, as based on the literature data, elucidation of miRNA's potential utility for EC prevention in IR patients. The pathways affected in IR relate to the insulin receptors, insulin-like growth factors and their receptors, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estrogens. Herein, we present and discuss arguments for miRNAs as a plausible molecular link between IR and EC development. Specifically, our careful literature search indicated that dysregulation of at least 13 miRNAs has been ascribed to both conditions. We conclude that there is a reasonable possibility for miRNAs to become a predictive factor of future EC in IR patients.

Epigenetic Regulation of miRNA Expression in Malignant Mesothelioma: miRNAs as Biomarkers of Early Diagnosis and Therapy

Asbestos exposure leads to epigenetic and epigenomic modifications that, in association with ROS-induced DNA damage, contribute to cancer onset. Few miRNAs epigenetically regulated in MM have been described in literature; miR-126, however, is one of them, and its expression is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Asbestos exposure induces early changes in the miRNAs, which are reversibly expressed as protective species, and their inability to reverse reflects the inability of the cells to restore the physiological miRNA levels despite the cessation of carcinogen exposure. Changes in miRNA expression, which results from genetic/epigenetic changes during tumor formation and evolution, can be detected in fluids and used as cancer biomarkers. This article has reviewed the epigenetic mechanisms involved in miRNA expression in MM, focusing on their role as biomarkers of early diagnosis and therapeutic effects.

The Use of microRNAs in the Management of Endometrial Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most important gynecological cancer in terms of incidence. microRNAs (miRs), which are post-transcriptional regulators implicated in a variety of cellular functions including carcinogenesis, are particularly attractive candidates as biomarkers. Indeed, several studies have shown that the miR expression pattern appears to be associated with prognostic factors in EC. Our objective is to review the current knowledge of the role of miRs in carcinogenesis and tumor progression and their association with the prognosis of endometrial cancer. Materials and Method: We performed a literature search for miR expression in EC using MEDLINE, PubMed (the Internet portal of the National Library of Medicine) and The Cochrane Library, Cochrane databases “Cochrane Reviews” and “Clinical Trials” using the following keywords: microRNA, endometrial cancer, prognosis, diagnosis, lymph node, survival, plasma, FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded). The miRs were classified and presented according to their expression levels in cancer tissue in relation to different prognostic factors. Results: Data were collected from 74 original articles and 8 literature reviews which described the expression levels of 261 miRs in ECs, including 133 onco-miRs, 110 miR onco-suppressors, and 18 miRs with discordant functions. The review identified 30 articles studying the expression pattern of miR in neoplastic endometrial tissue compared to benign and/or hyperplastic tissues, 12 articles detailing the expression profile of miRs as a function of lymph node status, and 14 articles that detailed the expression pattern of miRs in endometrial tumor tissue according to overall survival or in the absence of recurrence. Conclusions: The findings presented here suggest that miR analysis merits a role as a prognostic factor in the management of patients with endometrial cancer.

Role of exosomes in pathogenesis, progression, diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Exosomes are nanovesicles that may play a role in intercellular communication by acting as carriers of functional contents such as proteins, lipids, RNA molecules, and circulating DNA between cells. In addition, exosomes may play a potential role in immunosurveillance and tumor pathogenesis and progression. Recently, research has increasingly focused on the role of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver malignancy. In addition to their diagnostic value in HCC, exosomes are also involved in different mechanisms of HCC pathogenesis and progression including angiogenesis and immune escape. Moreover, exosomes have been demonstrated to change the tumor microenvironment to a less tolerogenic state, favoring immune response and tumor suppression. These results underline a practical and potentially feasible role of exosomes in the treatment of patients with HCC, both as a target and a vehicle for drug design. Future studies need to further elucidate the exact role and reliability of exosomes as screening, diagnosis, and treatment targets in patients with HCC. We herein review the data on emerging experimental and clinical studies that focused on the role of exosomes in the pathogenesis, progression, diagnosis, and therapy response of patients with HCC.

Loss of exosomal miR-148b from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes endometrial cancer cell invasion and cancer metastasis

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play crucial roles in tumor progression, given the dependence of cancer cells on stromal support. Therefore, understanding how CAFs communicate with endometrial cancer cell in tumor environment is important for endometrial cancer therapy. Exosomes, which contain proteins and noncoding RNA, are identified as an important mediator of cell-cell communication. However, the function of exosomes in endometrial cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. In the current study we found that CAF-derived exosomes significantly promoted endometrial cancer cell invasion comparing to those from normal fibroblasts (NFs). We identified a significant decrease of miR-148b in CAFs and CAFs-derived exosomes. By exogenously transfect microRNAs, we demonstrated that miR-148b could be transferred from CAFs to endometrial cancer cell through exosomes. In vitro and in vivo studies further revealed that miR-148b functioned as a tumor suppressor by directly binding to its downstream target gene, DNMT1 to suppress endometrial cancer metastasis. In endometrial cancer DNMT1 presented a potential role in enhancing cancer cell metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Therefore, downregulated miR-148b induced EMT of endometrial cancer cell as a result of relieving the suppression of DNMT1. Taken together, these results suggest that CAFs-mediated endometrial cancer progression is partially related to the loss of miR-148b in the exosomes of CAFs and promoting the transfer of stromal cell-derived miR-148b might be a potential treatment to prevent endometrial cancer progression.

Long Noncoding RNA-ATB Impairs the Function of Tumor Suppressor miR-126-Mediated Signals in Endometrial Cancer for Tumor Growth and Metastasis

OBJECTIVE

Long non-coding RNA-ATB (Lnc-ATB) have been reported to promote tumor proliferation and metastasis via regulation of tumor suppressive miRNA-related signals. Patients with endometrial cancer (EC) have advanced stage disease or metastasis have poor prognosis. We here investigated the role of Lnc-ATB in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Endometrial cancer tissues and normal tissues (n = 35) were collected to determine the expression and clinical significance of Lnc-ATB, and bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the miRNA target. siRNA was used to estimate the function of Lnc-ATB in EC cell lines and in vivo.

RESULT

The expression of Lnc-ATB is up-regulated in tumor tissues and EC cell lines. Patients with high expressed Lnc-ATB have high FIGO stage and poor tumor differentiation. The tumor suppressor miR-126 interacted with Lnc-ATB. Down-regulated miR-126 negative correlated with FIGO stage and tumor differentiation. Knockdown of Lnc-ATB in RL95 and HEC1A cell lines increased the miR-126 level and impaired the cell vitality, induced caspase-3-related tumor apoptosis and G1/S arrest. However, abrogation of miR-126 by its inhibitors counteracted Lnc-ATB knockdown-induced tumor inhibition via regulation of miR-126 target gene PIK3R2 and Sox2-related apoptosis and cell cycle pathway. Meanwhile, Lnc-ATB knockdown also suppressed the migration and invasion and inhibited TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype via miR-126. Knockdown of Lnc-ATB in vivo remarkably induced tumor regression via restoration of tumor suppressor miR-126, leading to deceased tumor volume, reduced expression of PCNA and PIK3R2/Sox2 signals and EMT phenotype in tumor tissues.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate the tumorigenic role of Lnc-ATBs in endometrial cancer via abrogation of tumor suppressor miR-126 signals.

MicroRNA-449a Inhibits Tumor Metastasis through AKT/ERK1/2 Inactivation by Targeting Steroid Receptor Coactivator (SRC) in Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer represents the leading frequency in gynecological malignancy in developed countries. Even with early detection, metastasis and recurrence remain the main reasons for a high death rate. MicroRNA-449a (miR-449a) has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor, yet the role of miR-449a in endometrial cancer metastasis has not been investigated. The present study identified that miR-449a was downregulated in advanced endometrial cancer. Overexpression of miR-449a decreased the migration and invasion of KLE and AN3CA endometrial cancer cells. Using luciferase reporter assays, we identified that miR-449a directly targeted the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) by binding to sites in the 3' untranslated regions. Elevated expressions of SRC have been witnessed in advanced endometrial cancer tissues and have promoted tumor metastasis. We also identified that the suppressive effect of miR-449a on metastasis could be mediated by downregulating SRC and that miR-449a could suppress AKT and ERK1/2 pathway activation in endometrial cancer cells. These findings contribute to the current understanding of the function of miR-449a in endometrial cancer.

miR‑494‑3p promotes the progression of endometrial cancer by regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway

MicroRNAs (miRs) are essential regulators in the development and progression of cancer. The role of miR-494-3p in endometrial cancer (EC) has not yet been investigated. In the present study, the expression levels of miR‑494‑3p were significantly upregulated in EC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, upregulation of miR‑494‑3p in patients with EC indicated poorer prognosis; miR‑494‑3p overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HHUA and JEC cells in vitro. Consistently, inhibition of miR‑494‑3p in HHUA cells significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft model. Additionally, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was revealed to be a direct target of miR‑494‑3p in EC cells. Furthermore, overexpression of miR‑494‑3p inhibited PTEN expression and consequently activated the downstream phosphoinositide 3‑kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signialing pathway. Restoration of PTEN or inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway also abolished miR‑494‑3p‑mediated proliferation, migration and invasion of HHUA and JEC cells. In summary, the results of the present study revealed the importance of the miR‑494‑3p/PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis in the progression of EC, which may provide novel insight into potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of EC.

MicroRNA‑409 may function as a tumor suppressor in endometrial carcinoma cells by targeting Smad2

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in human cancer and can act as either potent oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. The aberrant expression of miRNA‑409 (miR‑409) has been found in certain types of cancer, however, its expression and potential biological role in endometrial cancer remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, a total of 16 pairs of tissue samples from 16 patients with endometrial cancer were used in the present study, each of which consisted of human endometrial cancer tissue and matched adjacent normal tissue from the same patient. The expression of miR‑409 of the tissue were detected and its associations with Ishikawa and HEC‑1B human endometrial cancer cell lines were studied. The results of the present study demonstrated that miR‑409 was downregulated in human endometrial cancer, and it suppressed the growth of Ishikawa and HEC‑1B human endometrial cancer cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that small mothers against decapentaplegic 2 (Smad2) was a putative target of miR‑409. In a luciferase reporter system, it was confirmed that Smad2 was a direct target gene of miR‑409. It was also demonstrated that Smad2 was upregulated in human endometrial cancer tissues, and this was inversely correlated with the expression of miR‑409. These findings indicated that miR‑409 targeted the Smad2 transcript and suppressed endometrial cancer cell growth, suggesting that miR‑409 has a tumor suppressive role in the pathogenesis of human endometrial cancer.

miR-126 Suppresses Invasion and Migration of Malignant Glioma by Targeting Mature T Cell Proliferation 1 (MTCP1)

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the utility of miR-126 in promoting malignant glioma progression and determine if miR-126 might be a target for malignant glioma treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of miR-126 in malignant glioma tissues and cells was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot analysis was used to detect changes in protein levels. Transwell assay was applied to assess the migration and invasion in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the binding of miR-126 and mature T cell proliferation 1 (MTCP1). A nude mouse tumor model was used to assess the molecular mechanism in vivo. RESULTS The expression level of miR-126 in patients with stage III~IV malignant glioma was significant lower than that in patients with stage I~II. In different malignant glioma cell lines, the expression was significantly reduced in U87MG. Compared with the control mimics group, the expression of MTCP1 was significantly decreased. The results of Transwell assay showed that the invasiveness and migration in the miR-126 mimics group was significantly lower than in the control mimics groups. miR-126 mimics did not affect luciferase activity in the Mut-miR-126/MTCP1 group, while miR-126 mimics reduced luciferase activity by 54% in the Wt-miR-126/MTCP1 group. The results of invasion showed that the invasion ability in the miR-126 inhibitor group was significantly increased compared with that in the normal control (NC) group, while the invasion and migration abilities in the MTCP1 siRNA group were significantly increased. After 6 weeks, the tumor volume in the miR-126 inhibitor group was significantly increased, while that in the MTCP1 siRNA group was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS miR-126 inhibits the migration of malignant glioma cells by inhibiting MTCP1.

Tumor-suppressor role of miR-139-5p in endometrial cancer

Background

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common malignancy of the female genital tract worldwide. MicroRNAs are important gene regulators with critical roles in diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Several study’s show that miR-139-5p is involved in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of various cancers. However, its expression and potential biologic role in endometrial cancer remain to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the miR-139-5p expression and to analyze its function and underlying molecular mechanism in endometrial cancer.

Methods

Expression of miR-139-5p was measured using qRT-PCR. The expression of HOXA10 was detected by Immunofluorescence staining in endometrial cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were used to assess the effect of miR-139-5p on ECC1 and Ishikawa cell line proliferation. Transwell migration assay was used to study the effect of miR-139-5p on EC cell migration. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot were used to confirm targeting of HOXA10 by miR-139-5p.

Result

We demonstrated that miR-139-5p was down-regulated in human endometrial cancer compared to their matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. Overexpressed miR-139-5p significantly inhibited endometrial cancer cell viability and migration. Computational algorithm in combination with dual luciferase reporter assays identified HOXA10 as the target of miR-139-5p. HOXA10 expression was downregulated in endometrial cancer cells after miR-139-5p overexpression. The expression level of HOXA10 was significantly increased in endometrial cancer tissues, which was inversely correlated with miR-139-5p expression in clinical endometrial cancer tissues.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that miR-139-5p targets the HOXA10 transcript and suppresses endometrial cancer cell growth and migration, suggesting that miR-139-5p acts as a tumor suppressive role in human endometrial cancer pathogenesis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-018-0545-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A six-microRNA signature predicts survival of patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is one of the most common female gynecological malignant tumors that threaten women health seriously. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) has been proved to play critical roles in tumor pathogenesis and malignant progression. In this study, we aimed to explore a novel signature of microRNA expression for predicting the overall survival (OS) of patients with UCEC. The genome-wide miRNA expression profiles and relevant clinical characteristics of 348 patients with UCEC were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data portal and analyzed comprehensively. A total of 144 miRNAs were confirmed to be expressed differentially in tumor tissues. Among them, 6 miRNAs (hsa-mir-15a.MIMAT0000068, hsa-mir-142.MIMAT0000433, hsa-mir-142.MIMAT0000434, hsa-mir-3170.MIMAT0015045, hsa-mir-1976.MIMAT0009451, and hsa-mir-146a.MIMAT0000449) were validated to be significantly correlated with the OS of patients with UCEC. The risk indictor established by the 6-microRNA signature was proved be an independent prognostic factor (Hazard ratio = 0.391; 95% CI: 0.195-0.783; P = 0.008). In conclusion, we identified miRNAs that were correlated with the occurrence and progression of UCEC and established a 6-microRNA expression signature as a predictor for the OS of patients with UCEC.

Long non-coding RNA CRNDE sponges miR-384 to promote proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells through upregulating IRS1

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE), a vital cancer-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been brought to reports for playing quintessential functions in the growth and progression of several human malignancies. Nevertheless, the expression as well as the functional mechanisms of CRNDE in pancreatic cancer is not known so for. This study aimed at investigating the biological and clinical importance of CRNDE in human pancreatic cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression levels of CRNDE in pancreatic cancer tissues as well as cell lines were identified with the help of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, the analysis of the relationship between CRNDE expression and clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer was also performed. Novel target of CRNDE was identified with the use of bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed was knocked down using siRNA in pancreatic cancer cells. Thereafter, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were examined. Tumour xenograft was created to explore the function of CRNDE in tumorigenesis in vivo.

RESULTS

Upregulation of the expression of CRNDE was found in pancreatic cancer tissues as well as cell lines, in comparison with the adjacent non-tumour tissues and human pancreatic duct epithelial cells. High expression of CRNDE was correlated with poor clinicpathological characteristics and shorter overall survival. We identified miR-384 as a direct target for CRNDE. Moreover, the CRNDE knockdown considerably inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion not only in vitro but also in vivo. In addition, CRNDE positively regulated IRS1 expression through sponging miR-384.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed performed an oncogenic function in cell proliferation as well as metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Our results suggest that CRNDE is likely to serve as an efficient therapeutic approach in respect of pancreatic cancer treatment.

Recent findings on epigenetic gene abnormalities involved in uterine cancer

Selective aberrant genetic effects that do not depend on abnormal DNA sequences are referred to as epigenetic abnormalities and are involved in carcinogenesis. In uterine cancer, various genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA repair, cell proliferation and cell adhesion are abnormally methylated, resulting in gene silencing. Reversal of such epigenetic abnormalities in cancer cells is a potential strategy for cancer therapy, and studies on epigenetic abnormalities and treatment methods in uterine cancer are in progress. These include the evaluation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, which is present in cancer tissues at lower levels compared with those in normal tissues, as a prognostic marker in cervical cancer; combination therapy with 5-azacytidine and cisplatin; combination treatment focusing on tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in cervical cancer; studies focusing on DNA mismatch repair in endometrial cancer; and use of a demethylating agent to reactivate tumor suppressor genes and inhibit tumor proliferation. Detection of epigenetic changes using biomarkers may be used for histological classification, evaluation of disease progression and identification of compounds that are able to modulate epigenetic changes and may be useful for uterine cancer treatment.

MicroRNAs in gynecological cancers: Small molecules with big implications

Gynecological cancers (GCs) are often diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting the efficacy of available therapeutic options. Thus, there remains an urgent and unmet need for innovative research for the efficient clinical management of GC patients. Research over past several years has revealed the enormous promise of miRNAs. These small non-coding RNAs can aid in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of all major GCs, viz., ovarian cancers, cervical cancers and endometrial cancers. Mechanistic details of the miRNAs-mediated regulation of multiple biological functions are under constant investigation, and a number of miRNAs are now believed to influence growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, chemoresistance and the relapse of different GCs. Modulation of tumor microenvironment by miRNAs can possibly explain some of their reported biological effects. miRNA signatures have been proposed as biomarkers for the early detection of GCs, even the various subtypes of individual GCs. miRNA signatures are also being pursued as predictors of response to therapies. This review catalogs the knowledge gained from collective studies, so as to assess the progress made so far. It is time to ponder over the knowledge gained, so that more meaningful pre-clinical and translational studies can be designed to better realize the potential that miRNAs have to offer.

Exosome-derived microRNAs in cancer metabolism: possible implications in cancer diagnostics and therapy

Malignant progression is greatly affected by dynamic cross-talk between stromal and cancer cells. Exosomes are secreted nanovesicles that have key roles in cell–cell communication by transferring nucleic acids and proteins to target cells and tissues. Recently, MicroRNAs (miRs) and their delivery in exosomes have been implicated in physiological and pathological processes. Tumor-delivered miRs, interacting with stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, modulate tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis and immune escape. Altered cell metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer. A number of different types of tumor rely on mitochondrial metabolism by triggering adaptive mechanisms to optimize their oxidative phosphorylation in relation to their substrate supply and energy demands. Exogenous exosomes can induce metabolic reprogramming by restoring the respiration of cancer cells and supress tumor growth. The exosomal miRs involved in the modulation of cancer metabolism may be potentially utilized for better diagnostics and therapy.

The future therapy of endometrial cancer: microRNA's functionality, capability, and putative clinical application

PURPOSE

Endometrial cancer (EC) therapy is characterized by the heterogeneity of EC subtypes resulting in unclear clinical behavior as well as in unsatisfactory treatment options. The available biomarkers, such as cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase (PTEN), and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) genes alone might not be sufficient, and thus, new predictive and prognostic biomarkers are urgently required. The biomolecule class of microRNA represents a group of endogenously expressed regulatory factors primarily involved in control of pivotal cancer-related mechanisms including cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Here, we review the current state of science regarding microRNA functionality in EC progression.

MicroRNA in Metabolic Re-Programming and Their Role in Tumorigenesis

The process of metabolic re-programing is linked to the activation of oncogenes and/or suppression of tumour suppressor genes, which are regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). The interplay between oncogenic transformation-driven metabolic re-programming and modulation of aberrant miRNAs further established their critical role in the initiation, promotion and progression of cancer by creating a tumorigenesis-prone microenvironment, thus orchestrating processes of evasion to apoptosis, angiogenesis and invasion/migration, as well metastasis. Given the involvement of miRNAs in tumour development and their global deregulation, they may be perceived as biomarkers in cancer of therapeutic relevance.