Role of Microribonucleic acid in the Carcinogenesis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm. Despite advances in target therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, non-small cell lung cancer remains the major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Tumor development is a complex process that depends on the influence of environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Although oncogenic factors have received much attention, the main mechanisms for oncogenesis are still poorly understood. Thus, studying the oncogenic mechanisms, including those with the involvement of microribonucleic acid (microRNA), is important for the diagnostics and treatment of malignant neoplasms. MicroRNA (miRNA) belong to the class of small non-coding ribonucleic acids that are involved in various cellular biological processes, including epithelialmesenchymal transition, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Recent publications show that the course of the oncological disease can be predicted by evaluating the expressions of some miRNAs. Therefore, miRNAs serve as promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets in oncological diseases. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes data on the role in carcinogenesis and prognostic significance of several miRNA (i.e., miRNA-128, -4500, -222, -224, -124, -125b, -127, -129-2, -137, and -375) in non-small cell lung cancer.