Chromosomal rearrangements and microRNAs: a new cancer link with clinical implications
George A. Calin, Carlo M. Croce
George A. Calin, Carlo M. Croce
Published August 1, 2007
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2007;117(8):2059-2066. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI32577.
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Review Series

Chromosomal rearrangements and microRNAs: a new cancer link with clinical implications

Abstract

There is widespread aberrant expression of mature and/or precursor microRNAs in cancer cells, as microRNAs are deregulated consequent to chromosomal alterations and other genomic abnormalities. The identification of such abnormalities has a clear diagnostic and prognostic significance, and there are ever increasing examples of links between certain human cancers and modifications at microRNA loci.

Authors

George A. Calin, Carlo M. Croce

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Figure 1

miRNA involvement in cancer initiation and progression.

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miRNA involvement in cancer initiation and progression. Alterations in m...
Alterations in miRNA genes play a critical role in the pathophysiology of many, perhaps all, human cancers. Loss or amplification of miRNA genes has been reported in a variety of cancers, and altered patterns of miRNA expression may affect cell cycle and survival programs. Downregulation of suppressor miRNA is accompanied by the hyperexpression of the oncogenic PCG targets (marked in blue), while overexpression of oncogenic miRNA is followed by downregulation of suppressor PCG targets (marked in red). The two paradigms presented in this Review, miR-15a/miR-16-1 cluster and miR-21, are shown in correlation with their main identified targets.