Role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulatory microRNAs in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. In more than 90% of all CRC patients, the master oncogenic Ras-Wnt signaling axis is over-activated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for several cancers including lung, breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Oncogenic or tumor suppressor miRNAs modulate tumor cells proliferation, cell cycle progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis through regulating oncogenic pathways including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulatory miRNAs in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.