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Review
. 2018 Dec 20;11(1):7.
doi: 10.3390/cancers11010007.

microRNA-23a in Human Cancer: Its Roles, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Relevance

Ning Wang  1 , Hor-Yue Tan  2 , Yi-Gang Feng  3 , Cheng Zhang  4 , Feiyu Chen  5 , Yibin Feng  6
Affiliations
Review

microRNA-23a in Human Cancer: Its Roles, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Relevance

Ning Wang et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

microRNA-23a (miR-23a) is one of the most extensively studied miRNAs in different types of human cancer, and plays various roles in the initiation, progression, and treatment of tumors. Here, we comprehensively summarize and discuss the recent findings about the role of miR-23a in cancer. The differential expression of tissue miR-23a was reported, potentially indicating cancer stages, angiogenesis, and metastasis. miR-23a in human biofluid, such as plasma and salivary fluid, may be a sensitive and specific marker for early diagnosis of cancer. Tissue and circulating miR-23a serves as a prognostic factor for cancer patient survival, as well as a predictive factor for response to anti-tumor treatment. The direct and indirect regulation of miR-23a on multiple gene expression and signaling transduction mediates carcinogenesis, tumor proliferation, survival, cell migration and invasion, as well as the response to anti-tumor treatment. Tumor cell-derived miR-23a regulates the microenvironment of human cancer through manipulating both immune function and tumor vascular development. Several transcriptional and epigenetic factors may contribute to the dysregulation of miR-23a in cancer. This evidence highlights the essential role of miR-23a in the application of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Keywords: cancer diagnosis; cancer drug sensitivity; cancer prognosis; cancer progression; miR-23a; tumor microenvironment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The prognostic value of microRNA-23a (miR-23a) in human cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was retrieved using the Linkedomics platform, and patients were grouped on the basis of the expression of the miR-23a in tumors [67]. (a) Shows six cancer types, in which overall survival of patients is significantly correlated with the miR-23a expression; (b) shows other cancer types in which overall survival of patients is not significantly correlated with the miR-23a expression though miR-23a is significantly de-regulated in these tumors.
Figure 1
Figure 1
The prognostic value of microRNA-23a (miR-23a) in human cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was retrieved using the Linkedomics platform, and patients were grouped on the basis of the expression of the miR-23a in tumors [67]. (a) Shows six cancer types, in which overall survival of patients is significantly correlated with the miR-23a expression; (b) shows other cancer types in which overall survival of patients is not significantly correlated with the miR-23a expression though miR-23a is significantly de-regulated in these tumors.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regulation of the miR-23a on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Regulation of the miR-23a on cancer cell migration and invasion.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Regulation of miR-23a on the cancer cell metabolism.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Regulation of the miR-23a on the sensitivity of cancer cells to the anti-cancer treatment.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Regulation of the miR-23a on the microenvironment of human cancer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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