Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small fraction of tumor cells found in cancer cells. Pluripotency, self-renewal capacity, modest proliferation rate and tumor-inducing capacity differentiate them from most tumor cells. They create havoc when they confer drug resistance, tumor development, relapse of cancer, etc. are some of the dynamic features of CSCs, which are regulated by the interplay between extrinsic signaling pathways and epigenetic transcription and posttranslational modifications. MicroRNAs are noncoding genes that play an important role in gene expression in cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) by influencing the selective expression of certain genes. Their dysregulation in cancer occurs via various mechanisms such as gain or loss of function in miRNA genes, aberrant transcription of miRNA genes or alteration in the synthesis of miRNAs. Under some conditions, miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Cancer hallmarks such as maintaining proliferative signals, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, activating invasion and metastasis, and promoting angiogenesis have been linked to dysregulated miRNAs. Their utility as biomarkers requires thorough research to screen miRNA candidates to be used as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Here, we describe the role of miRNAs in CSCs especially BCSCs, and the mechanisms involved in aberrant expression of miRNA and their role in cancer.
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