Authors: Yuji Toiyama Koji Tanaka Yasuhiro Inoue Yasuhiko Mohri Masato Kusunoki
Publish Date: 2015/02/25
Volume: 46, Issue: 1, Pages: 13-24
Abstract
MicroRNAs miRNAs are a class of small endogenous noncoding singlestranded RNAs that act as posttranscriptional regulators Their discovery has provided new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer The expression of both oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs can be aberrantly either up or downregulated in cancer cells These miRNAs target mRNAs of genes that either promote or inhibit tumor growth and are one of several epigenetic factors that control the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer CRC and other cancers Investigations of miRNAs as CRC biomarkers have employed the expression profiling of traditional tissue samples and more recently noninvasive samples such as feces and body fluids have been analyzed MiRNAs may also be able to predict responses to chemo and radiotherapy and may be manipulated to modify CRC characteristics We herein discuss the use of circulating miRNAs as possible noninvasive biomarkers of early CRC onset relapse or response to treatment We also discuss the obstacles that currently limit the routine use of epigenetic biomarkers in clinical settings
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