Advances in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using MicroRNA

After the first microRNA MicroRNA-let4 was found by Lee in 1993 in his study of the development of nematodes, microRNAs have been receiving increasing focus worldwide. MicroRNAs were a group of single-chain RNAs consisting of 18-25 bases, which are capable of combining with the 3'- UTR (untranslated regions) of the mRNA transcribed from the original gene, so as to control the expression of the target gene by inhibiting the translation of its mRNA(s). Accumulative evidence has manifested that microRNAs were closely correlated with the initiation and development of carcinomas. The expression of microRNAs could vary a lot across different stages in the development of cancerous cells with corresponding roles in each stage, including promoting the propagation, accelerating metastasis, and both functions combined. In this respect, we might intervene in the advances of carcinomas and even cure cancers by regulating the expressions of relevant microRNAs. The aberrant expression of microRNAs of cancerous cells give rise to potential targeted diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Moreover, further study of microRNAs might provide novel approaches for combating cancer without affecting normal cells in the molecular level. Herein, we reviewed the functions, mechanisms, and therapeutic utilities of microRNAs in the progression of colorectal cancer cells.