Department of Urology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China.
Department of Urology, West China Tianfu Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610213, P.R. China.
BMC Urol. 2024 Nov 6;24(1):244. doi: 10.1186/s12894-024-01634-1.
Prostate cancer is the most common solid malignant tumor in men, characterized by high morbidity and mortality. While current screening tools, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal examination, are available for early detection of prostate cancer, their sensitivity and specificity are limited. Tissue puncture biopsy, although capable of offering a definitive diagnosis, has poor positive predictive rates and burdens the patient more. Therefore, more reliable molecular diagnostic tools for prostate cancer urgently need to be developed. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted much attention in prostate cancer research. miRNAs are extensively engaged in biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion by modulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Dysregulation of miRNA expression in cancer is considered a critical factor in tumorigenesis and progression. This review first briefly introduces the biogenesis of miRNAs and their functions in cancer, then focuses on tumor-promoting miRNAs and tumor-suppressor miRNAs in prostate cancer. Finally, the potential application of miRNAs as multifunctional tools for cancer diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and therapy is discussed in detail. The concluding section summarizes the major points of the review and the challenges ahead.
前列腺癌是男性最常见的实体恶性肿瘤，其发病率和死亡率都很高。目前已有前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）检测和直肠指检等筛查工具可用于早期发现前列腺癌，但它们的灵敏度和特异性有限。组织穿刺活检虽然能够提供明确的诊断，但阳性预测率较差，且给患者带来更多的负担。因此，迫切需要开发更可靠的前列腺癌分子诊断工具。近年来，microRNAs（miRNAs）在前列腺癌研究中受到了广泛关注。miRNAs 通过转录后调控基因表达，广泛参与细胞增殖、分化、凋亡、迁移和侵袭等生物学过程。癌症中 miRNA 表达的失调被认为是肿瘤发生和进展的关键因素。本文首先简要介绍了 miRNAs 的生物发生及其在癌症中的功能，然后重点介绍了前列腺癌中的促瘤 miRNA 和抑瘤 miRNA。最后，详细讨论了 miRNAs 作为癌症诊断、预后评估和治疗多功能工具的潜在应用。结论部分总结了综述的要点和未来的挑战。
