Published online Sep 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i33.5439
Revised: July 3, 2013
Accepted: July 19, 2013
Published online: September 7, 2013
Processing time: 118 Days and 6.8 Hours
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major form of primary liver cancer in adults. MicroRNAs (miRs), small non-coding single-stranded RNAs of 19-24 nucleotides in length, negatively regulate the expression of many target genes at the post-transcriptional and/or translational levels and play a critical role in the initiation and progression of HCC. In this review we have summarized the information of aberrantly expressed miRs in HCC, their mechanism of action and relationship to cancer. The recent advances in HCC research reveal that miRs regulate expression of various oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, thereby contributing to the modulation of diverse biological processes including proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and metastasis. From a clinical viewpoint, polymorphisms within miR-binding sites are associated with the risk of HCC. Polymorphisms in miR related genes have been shown to correlate with survival or treatment outcome in patients. Furthermore, the review focuses on the potential role of miRs as novel biomarkers and their translational applications for diagnosis and therapy in HCC. With further insights into miR deregulation in HCC, it is expected that novel miR-based therapeutics will arise. Also, we orient the readers to other reviews that may provide better understanding of miR research in HCC.
Core tip: This review provides the relationship between microRNA (miR) and hepatocellular carcinoma and speculates on the progress that will be achieved through ongoing research. A research effort to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with cancer is emphasized. The review highlights that miR-based therapeutics, and diagnostic and prognostic systems should be used for patients.