The role of microRNAs in carcinogenesis and the utility of microRNA determination in diagnosis of gastric cancer development

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide and the six most common cause of cancer-related deaths. GC is a multifactorial disease in which both environmental and genetic factors can influence its occurrence and development. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of ncRNAs on the development of gastric cancer. We have reviewed medical databases on the possible relationship between different micro RNA fragments and the development of gastric cancer. In result, our review of medical databases indicated that over the past decade, an increasing number of ncRNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, have been documented to affect gastric cancer. These ncRNAs are abnormally expressed in gastric cancer tissues, play key roles in gastric carcinogenesis and their assessment have potential benefits in the diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of gastric cancer. Although the role of abnormal expression of many ncRNAs in stimulating gastric cancer has been described, the underlying molecular mechanisms regarding the function of these ncRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis are not well understood. In the article, some of the miRNAs associated with gastric cancer are discussed.