MicroRNAs and lymph node metastatic disease in lung cancer.

Lymphatic and distant metastases are primary factors in determining survival in patients with lung cancer. The identification of novel molecular biomarkers that can predict the presence of micrometastasis in lymph nodes and their incorporation in traditional histologic staging is needed. MicroRNAs are emerging as powerful biomarkers for several neoplastic disorders. This article reports the experimental results that have recently led to the identification of several microRNAs deregulated in lung cancer that are strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage. This evidence indicates that microRNAs are a promising tool for the clinical management of lung cancer.