Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Selected microRNAs in Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review

Abstract

Despite numerous studies, colon cancer is still one of the leading cancers in the world, both in terms of incidence and mortality. One of the most important methods of monitoring and studying changes in cancer is the use of biomarkers in the form of microRNA. Their remarkable stability and detectability in body fluids make them promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review highlights selected deregulated miRNAs in colorectal cancer, including miR-21, miR-29b, miR-148a, miR-149, miR-155, miR-194, and miR-200b and lesser known ones such as miR-6803-5p or miR-4772-3p. Deregulation of their expression in colon cancer is associated with abnormal cell proliferation, migration, changes in the microenvironment or response to treatment, caused by their involvement in such pathways as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt or EGFR. Additionally, we explore their therapeutic potential, particularly their ability to enhance tumour sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents like 5-FU and oxaliplatin. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the growing relevance of miRNAs as both non-invasive diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer management.

Keywords: biomarkers; cancer; colorectal cancer; microRNA.

Figure 1

Pathways involved in CRC progression and microRNA inhibition targets involved in them.

Figure 2

Variability in the sequence of the 5p strand in the miR-548 family. Created by WebLogo on: weblogo.berkeley.edu.

Figure 3

Variability in the miR548-3p strand sequence family. Created by WebLogo on: weblogo.berkeley.edu.