Regulation of cancer metastasis by cell-free miRNAs

Maša Alečković, Yibin Kang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are integral molecules in the regulation of numerous physiological cellular processes that have emerged as critical players in cancer initiation and metastatic progression, both by promoting and suppressing metastasis. Recently, cell-free miRNAs shed from cancer cells into circulation have been reported in cancer patients, raising hope for development of novel biomarkers that can be routinely measured in easily accessible samples. In fact, establishing miRNA expression in the circulation likely has advantages over determination in primary tumor tissue, further augmenting the potential applications of miRNA detection in oncological practice. In addition, secretion of miRNAs impacting distant cell signaling or promoting the formation of a niche that sustains a distant tumor microenvironment allows for new treatment approaches to thwart cancer progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-42
Number of pages19
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer
Volume1855
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • Body fluids
  • Cell-free microRNA
  • Exosomes
  • Metastasis

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