MicroRNA in Health and Tumor

Dear Colleagues,

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNA, are involved in gene regulation, especially at the post-transcriptional level, and play a key role in a wide number of biological processes including differentiation, development, inflammation, immune response, drug resistance, and are usually dysregulated in many types of cancer. Moreover, miRNAs are differentially expressed in tumors compared to normal human tissues. Some of these altered miRNAs are overexpressed and known as oncomiR, which quicken tumor development, progression, dissemination. Contrarily, those that are downregulated in cancer patients are known as tumor suppressors. MiRNAs are also studied as biomarkers in clinical diagnosis and prognosis as well as indicator of treatment outcome and can be secreted as active molecule by different cell types. These “circulating miRNAs” are detected in various body fluids, including peripheral blood, saliva, urine, breast milk and represent specific, sensitive, and easy-to-detect biomarkers for clinical diagnosis or prognosis in cancers. Therefore, the accurate analysis of miRNAs expression and regulation from cancer patients might be a useful tool to develop personalized medicine in the future.

This Topical Collection aims to focus on the role of miRNAs in controlling pivotal biological mechanisms that lead to oncogenic transformation, including tumor formation, growth and dissemination, therapy resistance, as well as diagnostic and prognostic significance in different cancer subtypes. Original research manuscripts and comprehensive reviews are both welcomed for this call.

Dr. Francesca Lovat
Collection Editor

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