Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications of microRNAs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 20;21(22):8782. doi: 10.3390/ijms21228782.

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous suppressors of target mRNAs, are deeply involved in every step of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development, from tumor initiation to progression and metastasis. They play roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, and metastatic colonization, as well as immunosuppression. Due to their versatility, numerous attempts have been made to use miRNAs for clinical applications. miRNAs can be used as cancer subtype classifiers, diagnostic markers, drug-response predictors, prognostic markers, and therapeutic targets in NSCLC. Many challenges remain ahead of their actual clinical application; however, when achieved, the use of miRNAs in the clinic is expected to enable great progress in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with NSCLC.

Keywords: diagnosis; microRNA; non-small cell lung cancer; prognosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • MicroRNAs / agonists
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / immunology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / diagnosis
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Escape / drug effects
  • Tumor Escape / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger