MicroRNAs: A novel signature in the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant epithelial tumor, characterized by squamous cell differentiation, it is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The increased mortality rate of ESCC patients is predominantly due to the advanced stage of the disease when discovered, coupled with higher risk of metastasis, which is an exceedingly malignant characteristic of cancer, frequently leading to a high mortality rate. Unfortunately, there is currently no specific and effective marker to predict and treat metastasis in ESCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, approximately 22 nucleotides in length. miRNAs are vital in modulating gene expression and serve pivotal regulatory roles in the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of cancer. Here, we have examined the literature to highlight the intimate correlations between miRNAs and ESCC metastasis, and show that ESCC metastasis is predominantly regulated or regulated by genetic and epigenetic factors. This review proposes a potential role for miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for metastasis in ESCC metastasis, with the ultimate aim of reducing the mortality rate among patients with ESCC.

Keywords: MicroRNAs; Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Metastasis; Signaling pathway; Epigenetics mechanism

Core Tip: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally predominantly due to metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), acting either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes, play crucial roles in the development and progression of tumors. We herein discussed the intimate correlations between miRNAs and ESCC metastasis, predominantly associated with genetic and epigenetic regulatory, and aimed to propose the potential role of miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for ESCC metastasis.