MicroRNAs: Multifaceted Regulators of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Xiang-Qiong Wen,1,* Xian-Ling Qian,2,3,* Huan-Kui Sun,1 Lin-Lin Zheng,1 Wei-Quan Zhu,1 Tai-Yuan Li,1 Jia-Ping Hu1 1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Medical Imaging, Shanghai Medical College,Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jia-Ping Hu Email [email protected]: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-commonest malignant cancer, and its metastasis is the major reason for cancer-related death. The process of metastasis is highly coordinated and involves a complex cascade of multiple steps. In recent years, miRNAs, as highly conserved, endogenous, noncoding, single-stranded RNA, has been confirmed to be involved in the development of various cancers. Considering that miRNA is also involved in a series of biological behaviors, regulating CRC occurrence and development, we review and summarize the role of miRNAs and related signaling pathways in several CRC-metastasis stages, including invasion and migration, mobility, metabolism, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumor-microenvironment communication, angiogenesis, anoikis, premetastatic–niche formation, and cancer stemness. In addition, we review the application of miRNAs as diagnostic CRC markers and in clinical treatment resistance. This review can contribute to understanding of the mechanism of miRNAs in CRC progression and provide a theoretical basis for clinical CRC treatment.Keywords: colorectal cancer, miRNA, metastasis, invasion, migration, stemness

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• mirna
• metastasis
• invasion
• migration
• stemness