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MicroRNAs and metastasis: small RNAs play big roles

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating post-transcriptional gene expression. They play important roles in many biological processes under physiological or pathological conditions, including development, metabolism, tumorigenesis, metastasis, and immune response. Over the past 15 years, significant insights have been gained into the roles of miRNAs in cancer. Depending on the cancer type, miRNAs can act as oncogenes, tumor suppressors, or metastasis regulators. In this review, we focus on the role of miRNAs as components of molecular networks regulating metastasis. These miRNAs, termed metastamiRs, promote or inhibit metastasis through various mechanisms, including regulation of migration, invasion, colonization, cancer stem cell properties, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and microenvironment. Some of these metastamiRs represent attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Baochau Ton for critical reading of the manuscript. The authors’ research is supported by the US National Institutes of Health grants R01CA166051 and R01CA181029, a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant RP150319, and a Stand Up To Cancer Innovative Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Jongchan Kim, Fan Yao, Zhenna Xiao & Li Ma

  2. UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Zhenna Xiao & Li Ma

  3. Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Yutong Sun

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  1. Jongchan Kim
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  2. Fan Yao
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  3. Zhenna Xiao
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  4. Yutong Sun
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Correspondence to Yutong Sun or Li Ma.

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Kim, J., Yao, F., Xiao, Z. et al. MicroRNAs and metastasis: small RNAs play big roles. Cancer Metastasis Rev 37, 5–15 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9712-y

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