Progress of microRNA in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

microRNA (miRNA) is a class of non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules of approximately 20-22 nucleotides in length, encoded by endogenous genes, which is involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plants and animals. miRNA exists in a double-stranded form and is single-stranded when activated. miRNA also plays its role by forming miRNA-induced silencing complex, and is involved in various processes such as cell growth, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, autophagy, migration and invasion. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is a kind of rare malignant neoplasm with unknown etiology and poor prognosis. The early symptoms cannot be detected easily, which is prone to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. The main pathological type of hypopharyngeal carcinoma is squamous cell carcinoma accounting for 95% that can easily develop cervical lymph node metastasis. The role of miRNA in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is of great importance to the targeted therapy of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This paper reviews the progress of the role of miRNA in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.