Open Access

From microRNA functions to microRNA therapeutics: Novel targets and novel drugs in breast cancer research and treatment (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Roberta Piva
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Roberto Gambari
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 12, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2059
  • Pages: 985-994
  • Copyright: © Piva et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 3.0].

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a family of small non‑coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by the sequence-selective targeting of mRNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation, depending on the degree of complementarity with target mRNA sequences. miRNAs play a crucial role in cancer. In the case of breast tumors, several studies have demonstrated a correlation between: i) the expression profile of oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) and tumor suppressor miRNAs; and ii) the tumorigenic potential of triple-negative [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her2/neu] primary breast cancers. Among the miRNAs involved in breast cancer, miR-221 plays a crucial role for the following reasons: i) miR-221 is significantly overexpressed in triple-negative primary breast cancer; ii) the oncosuppressor p27Kip1, a validated miR-221 target is downregulated in aggressive cancer cell lines; and iii) the upregulation of a key transcription factor, Slug, appears to be crucial, since it binds to the miR-221/miR-222 promoter and is responsible for the high expression of the miR-221/miR-222 cluster in breast cancer cells. A Slug/miR-221 network has been suggested, linking miR-221 activity with the downregulation of a Slug repressor, leading to Slug/miR-221 upregulation and p27Kip1 downregulation. Interference with this process can be achieved using antisense miRNA (antagomiR) molecules targeting miR-221, inducing the downregulation of Slug and the upregulation of p27Kip1.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

October 2013
Volume 43 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Piva R, Spandidos DA and Gambari R: From microRNA functions to microRNA therapeutics: Novel targets and novel drugs in breast cancer research and treatment (Review). Int J Oncol 43: 985-994, 2013
APA
Piva, R., Spandidos, D.A., & Gambari, R. (2013). From microRNA functions to microRNA therapeutics: Novel targets and novel drugs in breast cancer research and treatment (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 43, 985-994. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2059
MLA
Piva, R., Spandidos, D. A., Gambari, R."From microRNA functions to microRNA therapeutics: Novel targets and novel drugs in breast cancer research and treatment (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 43.4 (2013): 985-994.
Chicago
Piva, R., Spandidos, D. A., Gambari, R."From microRNA functions to microRNA therapeutics: Novel targets and novel drugs in breast cancer research and treatment (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 43, no. 4 (2013): 985-994. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2059