MicroRNAs as Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent nonskin cancer and a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is routinely used for screening and early detection of prostate cancer; however, it does not reduce death from prostate cancer. Moreover, PSA is not specific for prostate cancer and results in high false-positive rates, and it is poorly correlated with cancer stage. Therefore, the need for another diagnostic and prognostic factor in prostate cancer is apparent. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs which are involved in modulation of gene expression posttranscriptionally. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that miRNAs play key roles in various physiological events. Deregulation of miRNAs is related to initiation and development of various diseases such as prostate cancer. It has been shown that various miRNAs (miR-34, miR-21, miR-155, miR-221, miR-222, and let-7) exert their effects by targeting a variety of cellular and molecular pathways (c-Myc, EZH2, c-RSC, BCL2L2, E2F6, ZEB, HMGA251, and CCND2) involved in prostate cancer pathogenesis. Hence, it seems that miRNA expression profiles can be seen as potential candidates for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. Here, we summarize various miRNAs as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for prostate cancer therapy.

Stem cell- and gene-based therapies as potential candidates in Alzheimer's therapy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is associated with impairments of memory, thinking, language, and reasoning. Despite extensive research aiming at the treatment of AD, durable and complete remissions are rare. Hence, new therapeutic approaches are required. Among various therapeutic approaches, stem cells (ie, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and embryonic stem cells) and delivery of protective genes such as encoding nerve growth factor, APOE, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor have generated promise in AD therapy. Here, we summarized a variety of effective therapeutic approaches (ie, stem cells, and genes) in AD therapy.

Keratins and epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Keratin intermediate filaments play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the skin structure. Understanding the importance of this subject is possible with the investigation of keratin defects in epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Nowadays, in addition to clinical criteria, new molecular diagnostic methods, such as next generation sequencing, can help to distinguish the subgroups of EBS more precisely. Because the most important and most commonly occurring molecular defects in these patients are the defects of keratins 5 and14 (KRT5 and KRT14), comprehending the nature structure of these proteins and their involved processes can be very effective in understanding the pathophysiology of this disease and providing new and effective therapeutic platforms to treat it. Here, we summarized the various aspects of the presence of KRT5 and KRT14 in the epidermis, their relation to the incidence and severity of EBS phenotypes, and the processes with which these proteins can affect them.

Micro-RNAs as critical regulators of matrix metalloproteinases in cancer.

Metastasis is known to be one of the important factors associated with cancer-related deaths worldwide. Several cellular and molecular targets are involved in the metastasis process. Among these targets, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play central roles in promoting cancer metastasis. MMPs could contribute toward tumor growth, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion via degradation of the extracellular matrix and activation of pre-pro-growth factors. Therefore, identification of various cellular and molecular pathways that affect MMPs could contribute toward a better understanding of the metastatic pathways involved in various tumors. Micro-RNAs are important targets that could affect MMPs. Multiple lines of evidence have indicated that deregulation of various micro-RNAs, including miR-9, Let-7, miR-10b, and miR-15b, affects metastasis of tumor cells via targeting MMPs.