Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules consisting of 19-22 nucleotides that are involved in a variety of biological processes, including development, differentiation, apoptosis and cell proliferation. In cancer research, a growing body of evidence has indicated that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in many types of human cancers and can function either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Bioinformatic predictions suggest that miRNAs regulate more than 30% of protein-coding genes. Aberrant expression of miRNAs in cancer cells causes destruction of miRNA-regulated messenger RNA networks. Therefore, the identification of miRNA-regulated cancer pathways is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of human cancer. Searching for the aberrant expression of miRNAs in cancer cells is the first step in the functional analysis of miRNAs in cancer cells. Genome-wide miRNA expression signatures can rapidly and precisely reveal aberrant expression of miRNA in cancers. The miRNA expression signatures of human cancers have revealed that miR-375 is significantly downregulated in cancer cells. Our recent data on maxillary sinus, hypopharyngeal and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas have suggested that miR-375 is frequently downregulated and functions as a tumor suppressor that targets several oncogenic genes in cancer cells. In this review, we focus on several types of human squamous cell carcinoma and describe the aberrant expression of miRNAs and the cancer pathways they regulate in these diseases.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, arises in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx.1 In spite of considerable advances in multimodal therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with HNSCC is only 40–50%.2 the survival rate has not markedly improved in recent decades because of locoregional recurrences, distant metastases and second primary tumors.2 Esophageal cancer is common, being the eighth most common cancer worldwide and ranks sixth among the leading causes of cancer mortality.3 Esophageal cancer can be divided into two main forms with distinct pathological characteristics: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma
We focus on several types of human squamous cell carcinoma and describe the aberrant expression of miRNAs and the cancer pathways they regulate in these diseases
In the post-genome sequencing era, it is crucial to find novel molecular mechanisms based on recent genome-wide studies, including non-coding RNA in human oncogenesis, including HNSCC and Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, arises in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx. In spite of considerable advances in multimodal therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with HNSCC is only 40–50%.2 the survival rate has not markedly improved in recent decades because of locoregional recurrences, distant metastases and second primary tumors. Esophageal cancer is common, being the eighth most common cancer worldwide and ranks sixth among the leading causes of cancer mortality. Esophageal cancer can be divided into two main forms with distinct pathological characteristics: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In spite of considerable advances in multimodal therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with HNSCC is only 40–50%.2. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common type in eastern Asia, including Japan.. In the post-genome sequencing era, it is crucial to find novel molecular mechanisms based on recent genome-wide studies, including non-coding RNA in human oncogenesis, including HNSCC and ESCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNA molecules, consisting of 19–22 nucleotides, that are involved in a variety of biological processes, including development, differentiation, apoptosis and cell proliferation.. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNA molecules, consisting of 19–22 nucleotides, that are involved in a variety of biological processes, including development, differentiation, apoptosis and cell proliferation.7 They regulate gene expression through translational repression and messenger RNA cleavage.. In the cancer research field, a growing body of evidence suggests that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in many types of human
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