Role of Some microRNA/ADAM Proteins Axes in Gastrointestinal Cancers as a Novel Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets—A Review

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are some of the most common cancers in the world and their number is increasing. Their etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. ADAM proteins are a family of transmembrane and secreted metalloproteinases that play a role in cancerogenesis, metastasis and neoangiogenesis. MicroRNAs are small single-stranded non-coding RNAs that take part in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Some ADAM proteins can be targets for microRNAs. In this review, we analyze the impact of microRNA/ADAM protein axes in GI cancers.

Has-miR-129-5p’s Involvement in Different Disorders, from Digestive Cancer to Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…ADAM 9 levels are high in other types of digestive cancers like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). On the basis of these findings, we may speculate that inducing normal levels or overexpression of miR129-5-p by targeting ADAM 9 may have a protective role in many types of digestive cancers, from the gastrointestinal tract to other digestive organs like the liver or the pancreas [18][19][20][21].…”

“…Moreover, a low level of has-miR-129-5p is statistically correlated with more aggressive forms of cancer and is related to the appearance of lymph node metastases and peritoneal carcinomatosis. A low level of miR-129-5p is associated with resistance to chemotherapy, and studies show that manipulating the level of microRNA 129 in vitro can improve the response to chemotherapy and prolong survival [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

The Interaction between Stress and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pediatric and Adult Patients

“…In the past few years, research teams have extensively investigated the role of RNA molecules, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), in the oncogenic processes related to digestion [ 279 , 280 ]. Cellular apoptosis exhibits tissue specificity, while miRNAs emerge as genuine biomarkers of the tumorigenesis phenomenon [ 279 , 281 ]. The importance of miRNAs in pathology is notable, given their responsiveness to stress and altered expression patterns as diseases progress.…”