Carcinogenesis is a complex process characterized by intricate changes in organ histology, biochemistry, epigenetics, and genetics. Within this intricate landscape, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as distinct cell types possessing unique attributes that significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer. The WNT signaling pathway plays a critical role in maintaining somatic stem cell pluripotency. However, in cancer, overexpression of WNT mediators enhances the activity of β-catenin, resulting in phenomena such as recurrence and unfavorable survival outcomes. Notably, CSCs exhibit heightened WNT signaling compared to bulk cancer cells, providing intriguing insights into their functional characteristics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as post-transcriptional gene expression regulators, modulate various physiological processes in numerous diseases including cancer. Upregulation or downregulation of miRNAs can affect the production of pro-oncogenic or anti-oncogenic proteins, influencing cellular processes that maintain tissue homeostasis and promote either apoptosis or differentiation, even in cancer cells. In order to understand the dysregulation of miRNAs, it is essential to examine miRNA biogenesis and any possible alterations at each step. The potential of a miRNA as a biomarker in prognosis, diagnosis, and detection is being assessed using technologies such as next-generation sequencing. Extensive research has explored miRNA expression profiles in cancer, leading to their utilization as diagnostic tools and the development of personalized and targeted cancer therapies. This review delves into the role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis in relation to the WNT signaling pathway along with their potential as druggable compounds.
癌变是一个复杂的过程，其特征表现为器官组织学、生物化学、表观遗传学和遗传学层面的多重改变。在这一错综复杂的生物学图景中，癌症干细胞（CSCs）作为具有独特属性的特殊细胞类型，在癌症发病机制中发挥着重要作用。WNT信号通路对维持体细胞干细胞多能性具有关键调控作用，然而在癌症中，WNT介导因子的过度表达会增强β-连环蛋白活性，从而导致肿瘤复发和不良生存结局等现象。值得注意的是，与主体癌细胞相比，癌症干细胞表现出更为活跃的WNT信号传导，这为理解其功能特性提供了重要线索。微小RNA（miRNAs）作为转录后基因表达调控因子，在包括癌症在内的多种疾病生理过程中发挥调节作用。miRNAs的上调或下调可影响促癌或抑癌蛋白的产生，进而调控维持组织稳态、促进细胞凋亡或分化的细胞过程，这种调控机制在癌细胞中同样存在。要理解miRNAs的失调机制，必须系统研究miRNA的生物合成过程及其每个环节可能发生的异常改变。通过新一代测序等技术，研究人员正在评估miRNA作为预后、诊断和检测生物标志物的潜力。大量研究已深入探索癌症中的miRNA表达谱，使其成为诊断工具并推动了个性化靶向癌症疗法的发展。本综述将深入探讨miRNAs在癌变过程中与WNT信号通路的关联作用，及其作为药物靶向化合物的潜在价值。
miRNA on the Battlefield of Cancer: Significance in Cancer Stem Cells, WNT Pathway, and Treatment
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家