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Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of microRNAs in urologic tumors

Nature Reviews Urology volume 7, pages 286–297 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that have an important role in the regulation of carcinogenic pathways. The observations that miRNAs are differentially expressed in tumor versus corresponding normal tissue, and that they regulate important breakpoints during carcinogenesis, are of interest for urologic oncologists. As biomarkers, they might be helpful tools for diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring purposes. Furthermore, miRNAs might be potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies, especially in patients with tumor subtypes that do not respond to currently available therapies. In this Review, we will focus on the current proceedings of miRNA research in urologic tumors. In the past decade, the number of published articles related to miRNAs in urologic oncology has increased, highlighting the ongoing importance of miRNAs in this field. Current studies support the hypothesis that miRNA will gain influence in clinical practice. Here, therefore, we illustrate the current knowledge of miRNA function in urologic tumors and draw the attention of urologists to the future opportunities and challenges of this research field.

Key Points

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have oncogenic and tumor-suppressive activities, and influence the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells

  • miRNAs are deregulated in urologic tumors, and can be detected in fresh or archived tissue as well as in blood or urine

  • miRNAs are promising diagnostic and prognostic tumor markers and potential therapeutic tools

  • Identification of miRNA-regulated pathways may lead to a better understanding of the development and progression of urologic tumors

  • Manipulation of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive miRNAs might present novel therapeutic strategies for urologic tumors

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Figure 1: Annual miRNA publications indexed in the PubMed database, in total and related to urologic neoplasms.
Figure 2: Schematic representation of miRNA biogenesis.
Figure 3: Deregulation of miRNAs and their oncogenic and tumor-suppressive action.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Free University Berlin, TakuStrasse 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Annika Schaefer

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Carsten Stephan & Jonas Busch

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, M5B 1W8, Toronto, Canada

    George M. Yousef

  4. Berlin Institute for Urological Research, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Klaus Jung

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Supplementary information

Supplementary Table 1

Deregulated miRNAs and their function in prostate cancer (DOC 270 kb)

Supplementary Table 2

Deregulated miRNAs and their function in bladder cancer (DOC 186 kb)

Supplementary Table 3

Deregulated miRNAs and their function in renal cell carcinoma (DOC 130 kb)

Supplementary Table 4

Deregulated miRNAs and their function in Germ Cell Tumors (DOC 39 kb)

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Schaefer, A., Stephan, C., Busch, J. et al. Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of microRNAs in urologic tumors. Nat Rev Urol 7, 286–297 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2010.45

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