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Siegl F, Vecera M, Roskova I, Smrcka M, Jancalek R, Kazda T, Slaby O, Sana J. The Significance of MicroRNAs in the Molecular Pathology of Brain Metastases. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143386. [PMID: 35884446 PMCID: PMC9322877 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are the most frequent intracranial tumors in adults and the cause of death in almost one-fourth of cases. The incidence of brain metastases is steadily increasing. The main reason for this increase could be the introduction of new and more efficient therapeutic strategies that lead to longer survival but, at the same time, cause a higher risk of brain parenchyma infiltration. In addition, the advances in imaging methodology, which provide earlier identification of brain metastases, may also be a reason for the higher recorded number of patients with these tumors. Metastasis is a complex biological process that is still largely unexplored, influenced by many factors and involving many molecules. A deeper understanding of the process will allow the discovery of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that could improve the quality and length of patient survival. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential molecules that are involved in specific steps of the metastatic cascade. MiRNAs are endogenously expressed small non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and thus regulate most cellular processes. The dysregulation of these molecules has been implicated in many cancers, including brain metastases. Therefore, miRNAs represent promising diagnostic molecules and therapeutic targets in brain metastases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the importance of miRNAs in brain metastasis, focusing on their involvement in the metastatic cascade and their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Siegl
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
| | - Marek Vecera
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
| | - Ivana Roskova
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Smrcka
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Radim Jancalek
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Annes University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Tomas Kazda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ondrej Slaby
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Sana
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-549-495-246
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Wen XQ, Qian XL, Sun HK, Zheng LL, Zhu WQ, Li TY, Hu JP. MicroRNAs: Multifaceted Regulators of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis and Clinical Applications. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:10851-10866. [PMID: 33149603 PMCID: PMC7602903 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s265580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-commonest malignant cancer, and its metastasis is the major reason for cancer-related death. The process of metastasis is highly coordinated and involves a complex cascade of multiple steps. In recent years, miRNAs, as highly conserved, endogenous, noncoding, single-stranded RNA, has been confirmed to be involved in the development of various cancers. Considering that miRNA is also involved in a series of biological behaviors, regulating CRC occurrence and development, we review and summarize the role of miRNAs and related signaling pathways in several CRC-metastasis stages, including invasion and migration, mobility, metabolism, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor-microenvironment communication, angiogenesis, anoikis, premetastatic-niche formation, and cancer stemness. In addition, we review the application of miRNAs as diagnostic CRC markers and in clinical treatment resistance. This review can contribute to understanding of the mechanism of miRNAs in CRC progression and provide a theoretical basis for clinical CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Qiong Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xian-Ling Qian
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shanghai Medical College,Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan-Kui Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin-Lin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-Quan Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tai-Yuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia-Ping Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
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Razi S, Sadeghi A, Asadi-Lari Z, Tam KJ, Kalantari E, Madjd Z. DCLK1, a promising colorectal cancer stem cell marker, regulates tumor progression and invasion through miR-137 and miR-15a dependent manner. Clin Exp Med 2020; 21:139-147. [PMID: 32965580 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-020-00665-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be a major player in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Targeting CSCs for elimination presents a promising therapeutic strategy; however, this approach will require a stronger understanding of CSC biology and identification of CSC-specific markers. The present study was conducted to examine the correlation between DCLK1 and miR-137 and miR-15a levels in colorectal cancer. A total of 222 samples, including 181 colorectal cancer specimens, 24 adenomatosis, and 17 non-adenomatosis colonic polyps, were stained for DCLK1 expression using immunohistochemistry. Also, expression of miR-137 and miR-15a was assessed in colorectal cancer with high and low DCLK1 expression levels. Most colorectal cancer specimens (76%) showed strong expression of DCLK1, whereas only 21% of adenomatous and none of non-adenomatous colonic polyps showed strong DCLK1 expression. A significant difference in DCLK1 expression was found between colorectal cancer, adenomatous, and non-adenomatous colonic polyps (P < 0.001). Higher expression of DCLK1 was more frequently detected in colorectal cases with larger tumor size (P = 0.03), poor differentiation (P = 0.03), and lymph node involvement (P = 0.04). Comparison of miR-137 and miR-15a in colorectal cancer cases revealed a significant inverse correlation with DCLK1 expression (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). DCLK1 may act as a candidate marker for colorectal cancer stem cells. The critical role of DCLK1 in colorectal cancer suggests that it may represent an early diagnostic marker and therapeutic target; however, further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Razi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asieh Sadeghi
- Department of Pathology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kevin J Tam
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elham Kalantari
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Pathology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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