J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 116(6): 360-365, 2015

---

Feature topic

SIGNIFICANCE OF NONCODING RNAS IN COLORECTAL CANCER: REVIEW

Recent advances in the field of RNA research have shown that microRNAs (MiRNAs) are among noncoding RNAs that function in posttranscriptional regulation of target gene expression via base-pairing with complementary sequences in mRNAs to induce mRNA degradation and translational inhibition. Together with several causes of colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and progression which are regulated by both genetic and epigenetic modifications, aberrant expression of oncogenic and tumor suppressor MiRNAs in cancer cells was found to be up- or downregulated by targeted mRNAs specific to tumor promoter or inhibitor genes. In particular, the study of MiRNAs as CRC biomarkers utilizes expression profiling methods from tissue samples along with newly introduced noninvasive samples of feces and body fluids, since MiRNAs are known to be extremely stable under several conditions. Additionally, MiRNAs could be employed to predict chemo- and radiotherapy responses and be manipulated in order to alleviate CRC characteristics. This article introduces progress in the utilization of MiRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers for cancer detection, estimation of recurrence and prognosis, and prediction of chemotherapeutic agent response in CRC. It also discusses the obstacles that have limited the routine use of MiRNA biomarkers in the clinical setting.

---

---

To read the PDF file you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.