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MicroRNAs Driving Colorectal Cancer: Quick Review
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a deadly malignancy characterized by uncontrolled growth of glandular epithelial cells in the colon or rectum, with late-stage diagnosis and metastasis contributing to high mortality rates.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression in CRC, influencing critical pathways in its initiation, progression, and metastasis by post-transcriptionally modulating gene expression.
- A recent mini-systematic review scrutinized miRNA profiles in CRC patients and healthy controls from 2000 to 2023, categorizing 28 miRNAs based on tumor suppressor or oncogenic roles in CRC.
- MiR-200a and other significant miRNAs were identified for their differential expression and clinical correlations within CRC cohorts, suggesting prognostic relevance and roles in disease biology.
- MiRNAs present promise as non-invasive biomarkers due to their stability in bodily fluids, potentially offering earlier detection, accurate prognosis, and insights into personalized therapies in CRC management.
- Mechanistically, miRNAs regulate critical processes like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, and even chemoresistance in CRC, making them valuable therapeutic targets.
- Integrating miRNA research into colorectal cancer exemplifies precision medicine's potential by tailoring interventions to individual patient profiles, although challenges like reproducibility and standardization persist.
- Real-time miRNA profiling during treatments could aid in monitoring response and adjusting therapeutic regimens promptly, potentially improving outcomes in CRC patients.
- The systematic review's methodical approach and utilization of high-quality studies enhance confidence in the findings, positioning miRNAs as crucial players in CRC pathophysiology with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.
- This comprehensive analysis of miRNAs in CRC pathophysiology, supported by robust datasets, underscores the potential of miRNA science to transform colorectal cancer care, emphasizing early detection, personalized therapy, and patient survival.
- As the landscape evolves, further research into miRNA functional mechanisms, enhanced detection platforms, and validation of miRNA-based biomarkers through large-scale clinical trials is crucial to realizing the full potential of miRNAs in combating CRC.
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