ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) , as one of the most common malignant neoplasms , has a relatively high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide.MicroRNAs (miRNAs),a type of comparatively conserved endogenous small non-coding RNAs, function as pivotal regulators involved in various biological functions through the post -transcriptional regulation of gene expression .Some miRNA genes are arranged into a intandem model and reside close together on the same chromosome , forming miRNA clusters . These clustered miRNAs are mostly located on polycistronic transcripts and expressed at similar levels.In the human imprinted 14q32 region, 52 miRNA genes are organized as a large cluster which spans about 220 kb of the long arm ( q) .Lines of evidence show that dysregulation of miRNAs in this cluster are involved in the development of HCC .This review summarizes the structural characteristics of 14 q32 miRNA cluster as well as its impact on HCC in initiation and progression .