miRNA and long non-coding RNA: molecular function and clinical value in breast and ovarian cancers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The elucidation of tumor molecular hallmarks and the identification of novel molecular markers are of first translational priority in breast and ovarian cancer research, aiming to support personalized disease treatment and monitoring decisions. Recent high-throughput studies have revealed that ~ 80% of the genome is transcribed into RNAs without protein-coding potential, namely non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), challenging the concept of ‘junk DNA’. Undoubtedly, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent the best-studied family classes, emerging as the most powerful gene-expression regulators at epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.

Areas covered: Cancer research has highlighted the active implication of ncRNAs, most notably of miRNAs and lncRNAs, in almost every aspect of the cancer cells’ biology as well as their deregulated expression in both breast and ovarian tumors. In the present manuscript we discuss the existing knowledge regarding the involvement of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the molecular background of breast and ovarian malignancies, to highlight their clinical utility in improving disease management.

Expert commentary: miRNAs and lncRNAs represent central mediators of cancer cells’ phenotype, and promising molecular markers and therapeutic targets to support precision medicine in breast and ovarian cancers.

KEYWORDS:

• microRNA
• lncRNA
• non coding RNA
• ovarian cancer
• breast cancer

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other 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 apart from those disclosed.

Reviewers Disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The research presented was carried out within the framework of a Stavros Niarchos Foundation grant to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens [grant number 70/3/14318].