The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance of endometrial cancer: a spotlight on the convergence of signaling pathways

Pathol Res Pract. 2023 Apr:244:154411. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154411. Epub 2023 Mar 11.

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 2nd common cancer in females after breast cancer. Besides, it's the most common among gynecological cancers. Several epigenetic factors such as miRNAs have been reported to affect EC aspects including initiation, progression, angiogenesis, and resistance to therapy. miRNAs could regulate the expression of various genes involved in EC pathogenesis. This effect is attributed to miRNAs' effects in proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. miRNAs also influence crucial EC-related mechanistic pathways such as JAK/STAT axis, EGFR, TGF-β signaling, and P53. Beside pathogenesis, miRNAs also have the potential to affect EC response to treatments including radio and chemotherapy. Thus, this review aims to illustrate the link between miRNAs and EC; focusing on the effects of miRNAs on EC signaling pathways.

Keywords: Drug resistance; Endometrial cancer (EC); Oncogenic miRNAs; Pathogenesis; Tumor suppressor (TS) miRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • MicroRNAs