AUTHOR=Meyer N. Helge , Kotnik Nika , Noubissi Nzeteu Gaetan Aime , van Kempen Léon C. , Mastik Mirjam , Bockhorn Maximilian , Troja Achim 

TITLE=Unraveling the MicroRNA tapestry: exploring the molecular dynamics of locoregional recurrent rectal cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1407217

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2024.1407217

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent malignancy globally, with a concerning rise in incidence among young adults. Despite progress in understanding genetic predispositions and lifestyle risk factors, the intricate molecular mechanisms of CRC demand exploration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as key regulators of gene expression and their deregulation in tumor cells play pivotal roles in cancer progression. NanoString's nCounter technology was used to determine the expression of 827 cancer-related miRNAs in tumor tissue and adjacent non-involved normal colon tissue from 5 patients with locoregional CRC progression. Intriguingly, 156 miRNAs showed a contrasting dysregulation pattern compared to their expression in primary colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas. This observation implies dynamic alterations in miRNA expression patterns throughout disease progression. Our exploratory study contributes to understanding the regulatory landscape of recurrent CRC, emphasizing the role of miRNAs in disease relapse. Notable findings include the prominence of let-7 miRNA family, dysregulation of key target genes, and dynamic changes in miRNA expression patterns during progression. Univariate Cox proportional hazard models highlighted miRNAs associated with adverse outcomes and  potential protective factors. The study underscores the need for more extensive investigations into miRNA dynamics during tumor progression and the value of stage specific biomarkers for prognosis.