MicroRNAs in solid tumors.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small, noncoding RNAs (approximately 20-22 nucleotides) that have critical functions in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. These evolutionarily conserved RNA sequences are the result of a complex sequence of processing steps, which can regulate the expression of tens, and even hundreds, of genes. Their regulatory effect is based upon the degree of complementarity between the mature miRNA and the 3' untranslated region region of the target mRNA resulting in either complete degradation or translational inhibition of the target mRNA. In vertebrates they are often tissue specific in their expression patterns and dysregulated in malignancies. Thus, miRNA profiling has been used to create signatures for many solid malignancies. These profiles have been used to not only classify tumors, but also to help predict survival and outcome. Herein, we review the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of solid tumors.