MicroRNA-mediated breast cancer metastasis: from primary site to distant organs

Oncogene. 2012 May 17;31(20):2499-511. doi: 10.1038/onc.2011.444. Epub 2011 Oct 3.

Abstract

The recent upsurge of interest in microRNA (miRNA) is partly attributed to the discovery of the novel roles of miRNAs in many physiological and pathological processes, including tumor development. Research on breast cancer metastasis has also focused on the concept of miRNA, which can act either as promoters or as suppressors of metastases. This review will focus on a series of recent studies that demonstrate the involvement of miRNAs in breast cancer metastasis and will briefly describe various pathways of miRNA-regulated metastasis. Finally, future prospects will be discussed for the potential role of miRNAs as predictive markers and therapeutic agents for patients with breast cancer metastases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cellular Senescence / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs