Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2013; 19(32): 5212-5226
Published online Aug 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i32.5212
MicroRNAs and liver cancer associated with iron overload: Therapeutic targets unravelled
Catherine M Greene, Robert B Varley, Matthew W Lawless
Catherine M Greene, Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
Robert B Varley, Matthew W Lawless, Experimental Medicine, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland
Author contributions: All authors drafted the article and revised and approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Matthew W Lawless, BSc, MSc, PhD, Experimental Medicine, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Catherine McAuley Centre, Nelson Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. matthew.lawless@ucd.ie
Telephone: +353-1-7164597 Fax: +353-1-7164555
Received: March 26, 2013
Revised: May 15, 2013
Accepted: May 18, 2013
Published online: August 28, 2013
Processing time: 153 Days and 18.8 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and low survival rate, largely attributable to late diagnosis, resistance to treatment, tumour recurrence and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory RNAs that modulate protein synthesis and are involved in several biological and pathological processes including the development and progression of HCC. miRNAs represent important new targets for therapeutic intervention for HCC and have potential as diagnostic and prognostic HCC biomarkers. Ongoing studies and clinical trials suggest miRNA-based treatments and diagnostic methods will have clinical applications for HCC in the coming years, yielding improved HCC survival rates and patient outcomes.