This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "MicroRNAs: Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Human Cancers" that was published in JCM

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large family of small, approximately 20-22-nucleotide, non-coding RNAs that are involved in gene regulation, mainly at the post-transcriptional level. Multiple lines of evidence have indicated that miRNAs play important roles in the maintenance of biological homeostasis and that aberrant expression levels of miRNAs are involved in the onset of many diseases, including cancer. In various types of cancer, miRNAs play important roles in tumor initiation and development. Recently, miRNAs have been demonstrated to also be secreted via small endosome-derived vesicles called exosomes-which are derived from multiple cell types-including immunocytes and cancer cells. Exosomal miRNAs exert important functions in cell-to-cell communication and have been investigated as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine will cover the following important aspects of miRNA functions in cancer biology: Biosynthesis of miRNA and its roles in gene regulation; Roles of miRNA in cancer biology, including 1) Roles of miRNA in tumor initiation and development, 2) Roles of miRNA in drug resistance, 3) Roles of miRNA in metastasis; Therapeutic potential of miRNAs for cancer therapy; Roles of circulating miRNAs in cancer development; Expression levels/profiles of body fluid miRNAs for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic responses; Novel and efficient miRNA delivery methods and their applications in cancer therapy.

This book provides an update on the latest development in the field of microRNAs in cancer research with an emphasis on translational research. Since the early 2000s, microRNAs have been recognized as important and ubiquitous regulators of gene expression. Soon it became evident that their deregulation can cause human diseases including cancer. This book focuses on the emerging opportunities for the application of microRNA research in clinical practice. In this context, computer models are presented that can help to identify novel biomarkers, e.g. in circulating microRNAs, and tools that can help to design microRNA-based therapeutic interventions. Other chapters evaluate the role of microRNAs in immunotherapy, immune responses and drug resistance. Covering key topics on microRNAs in cancer research this book is a valuable resource for both emerging and established microRNA researchers who want to explore the potential of microRNAs as therapeutic targets or co-adjuvants in cancer therapies.

From pathology to treatment, MicroRNAs in Diseases and Disorders highlights the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development and progression of a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurological disease, endocrine disease and autoimmune disease, and underscores the utilization of miRNA targets in the treatment of these conditions. Providing a comprehensive account, this book also includes the identification of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for disease, as well as evaluates translational value from clinical trials using synthesized and functionalized miRNA mimics and inhibitors. With a global contribution list and chapters from leading experts across the field, MicroRNAs in Diseases and Disorders is an invaluable reference to miRNA researchers and health professionals in a variety of disease areas in government, academia and industry. The book will also appeal to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemists with an interest in miRNA targeting therapeutics, as well as to advanced students in chemical biology and drug discovery.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a cutting-edge topic in the scientific and medical fields. This is a timely and specialized book focusing on the current understanding of miRNAs and the potential for their application in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets. It also provides discussion of the lessons learned from translational miRNA studies and exploration of the next steps required to advance this field. The unique book comprises 22 in-depth chapters by gathering unparalleled topics of interest in miRNAs by international team of world-renowned experts in the field. The first fifteen chapters provide comprehensive and expert perspectives on the most common cancers from bench to bedside applications, there is no current book structured in this cancer-oriented way. The next seven chapters providing thorough overviews of miRNAs and cancer stem cells; miRNAs in cancer invasion and metastasis; miRNAs in predicting radiotherapy and chemotherapy response; as well as expounding the role of miRNA in anti-cancer drug resistance and as blood-based cancer biomarkers. Furthermore, this book explicates the interplay of miRNAs in cancer metabolism and an update on the pioneering RNAi-based treatment approaches is also presented. This specialized book will contribute great to the scientific and medical community by providing the up-to-date discoveries of miRNAs and their important roles in cancer translational research.

Aberrant expression and function of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer have added a new layer of complexity to the understanding of development and progression of the disease state. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs have a crucial function in oncogenesis by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The expression signatures of miRNAs provide exciting opportunities in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of cancer. Since miRNAs can function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in oncogenesis, the potential of using these small RNAs as therapeutic targets opens up new opportunities for cancer therapy by either inhibiting or augmenting their activity.

MiRNA is an extremely fast growing field, and miRNA knowledge is now believed to be a pivotal element of cancer biology. It is already evident that the discovery of miRNA has created a paradigm shift in post-genomics biology, not only for scientists accustomed to traditional central dogma of molecular biology but also for researchers studying human diseases and accustomed to traditional genetics approach of studying one gene at the time. This book provides an introduction to the basic principles of miRNA biology, overview of miRNA significance in the hallmarks of cancer, experimental techniques used in miRNA research, and in special part - miRNAs importance in wide range of solid cancers with a special focus on its potential usage in molecular pathology, predictive oncology or as a novel therapeutic targets.

MicroRNA (miRNA) biology is a cutting-edge topic in basic as well as biomedical research. This is a specialized book focusing on the current understanding of the role of miRNAs in the development, progression, invasion, and metastasis of diverse types of cancer. It also reviews their potential for applications in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets as well as the potential use in translational medicine. Chapters present comprehensive and expert perspectives on the roles of miRNAs in most common cancers from bench to bedside applications and are written by an international team of renowned experts in the field.

This book highlights the importance of understanding gastric and colon cancer metabolism in guiding diagnosis and drug discovery. It summarizes the correlation between adiponectin and matrix metalloproteinase with colorectal cancer. The book also evaluates the divergent role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. After discussing the role of genetic polymorphisms in alcohol metabolizing enzymes and EPHX1 with the onset of colorectal cancer, it reviews the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in gastric cancer and novel therapeutic strategies to reverse the chemoresistance of tumors. In addition, the book explores the theranostic role of nanoparticles and therapeutic potential of phytochemicals with regard to colorectal cancer. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable guide for oncologists, academic researchers, pharmaceuticals practitioners, and students who are involved in research and treatment of cancer.

MicroRNAs in Medicine provides an access point into the current literature on microRNA for both scientists and clinicians, with an up-to-date look at what is happening in the emerging field of microRNAs and their relevance to medicine. Each chapter is a comprehensive review, with descriptions of the latest microRNA research written by international leaders in their field. Opening with an introduction to what microRNAs are and how they function, the book goes on to explore the role of microRNAs in normal physiological functions, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, cancer, circulating microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, and finally their potential as novel therapeutics. Including background information on the field as well as reviews of the latest research breakthroughs, MicroRNAs in Medicine is a one-stop source of information to satisfy the specialists and non-specialists alike, appealing to students, researchers, and clinicians interested in understanding the potential of microRNAs in medicine and research.