MicroRNAs in Cancer PDF

PREFACE

Cancer is a complex group of diseases characterized by the presence of cells with uncontrolled growth and high proliferation capability. It is the leading cause of death in most countries, affecting millions of people worldwide and representing a global health problem. Cancer has huge economic, social and psychological implications. Even till now cancer remains a major clinical challenge due to its frequently poor prognosis and limited treatment options in many cases. Thus there is an urgent need for the development of new molecular methods that will allow an early diagnosis and better treatment.

The recent development of "omics" technologies, such as proteomics and transcriptomics has opened new research areas for scientists working in cancer. Notably, the discovery of the relevance of microRNAs in the mechanisms leading to tumorigenesis has allowed a better understanding of the molecular events involved in carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding single-stranded RNAs that play important roles in most biological processes by regulating gene expression through transcriptional repression and degradation of protein-coding messenger RNAs. MicroRNA biology is a cutting-edge topic in the basic and biomedical research fi elds. Dysregulation of microRNA expression levels emerges as an important mechanism that triggers the loss or gain of functions in cancer cells, acting as tumor suppressors and oncogenes.

This book is an invaluable collection of the recent fi ndings and reviews of leading experts about the current understanding of roles of microRNAs in the development, progression, invasion and metastasis of the most common cancers. It also reviews their potential for applications as novel molecular markers for early diagnosis and prognosis, as well as for the identifi cation of therapeutic targets. In addition, it provides discussions about their potential use in translational medicine. Topics include an integrated overview of microRNAs functions in a variety of neoplasias including breast, prostate, colorectal, cervix, gastric and lung cancer as well as melanoma, and medulloblastoma. In addition, this volume includes a comprehensive coverage of key high-throughput technologies that havebeen developed for clinically oriented microRNAs profi ling. Perspectives of quantitative sciences including bioinformatics, system biology and mathematical modeling are also discussed. This book constitutes an essential reference for the graduates students, post-docs, researchers and for scientifi c and medical community by providing the up-to-date discoveries of an international team of renowned experts in the fi eld about microRNAs and their important roles in cancer translational research.