MicroRNA-profiles in lung adenocarcinomas

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lung cancer is a common disease, with a poor prognosis. micrornas are small non-coding RNA particles, involved in regulating gene expression. during the past decade, microrna profiling studies have been performed pointing at micrornas as compelling biomarkers for diagnostics, prognostics and for prediction of therapy response.

Areas covered: MicroRNA profiles have been identified differentiating between normal lung biopsies and lung adenocarcinomas, and also correlated with different clinical characteristics. Herein, I discuss some of the findings in studies of microRNA profiling in lung adenocarcinomas, and the possibilities we have for future use of these.

Expert commentary: MicroRNA profiles bear great potential as robust biomarkers in lung adenocarcinomas. In addition, profiling studies provide insight about lung cancer carcinogenesis and biology. Unfortunately, there is little overlap between microRNA profiles identified in the different studies, and in future studies validation in external patient material would be important.

KEYWORDS:

• MicroRNA
• Lung
• adenocarcinoma
• profile
• prognostic
• predictive
• normal lung

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This article was partly supported by the Norwegian cancer Society and by the South-East Norway Regional Health Authorities.