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MicroRNAs and Targeted Therapies in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Minireview

[ Vol. 15 , Issue. 6 ]

Author(s):

Carmelo Tibaldi, Armida D’Incecco and Alessandro Lagana   Pages 694 - 700 ( 7 )

Abstract:


The discovery of driver oncogene alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as EGFR, EML4-ALK, MET and RAS, as well as the identification of their specific targeted inhibitors have led to new opportunities for treatment of this tumor. </p> <p> Drug resistance, intrinsic or acquired, represents the major cause of failure of novel biological agents. </p> <p> MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small non-coding RNAs that can silence their cognate target genes by specifically binding mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. The recent evidences that several micro-RNAs can modulate the oncogenic driver pathways in NSCLC and that they are involved in drug resistance of their targeted inhibitors, have paved the way for new therapeutic strategies. </p> <p> This minireview aims 1) to explore the potential mechanisms by which key miRNAs may up-regulate or down-regulate specific oncogenic driver pathways; 2) highlight the role of microRNAs in the mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies; 3) discuss the therapeutic potential by using short-interfering RNAs or artificial miRNAs as anti-cancer therapies.

Keywords:

EGFR, EML4-ALK, Micro-RNA, NSCLC, targeted therapy.

Affiliation:

Division of Oncology- Department of Oncology, Azienda USL-6 of Livorno, Viale Alfieri 36, 57100 LIVORNO, Italy.

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