Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i3.301
Revised: March 19, 2014
Accepted: May 31, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Processing time: 292 Days and 9.6 Hours
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Metastasis is a major cause of colorectal cancer-related death. Mechanisms of metastasis remain largely obscure. MicroRNA is one of the most important epigenetic regulators by targeting mRNAs post-transcriptionally. Accumulated evidence has supported its significant role in the metastasis of colorectal cancer, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis. Dissecting microRNAome potentially identifies specific microRNAs as biomarkers of colorectal cancer metastasis. Better understanding of the complex network of microRNAs in colorectal cancer metastasis provide new insights in the biological process of metastasis and in the potential targets for colorectal cancer therapies and for diagnosis of recurrent and metastatic colorectal cancer.
Core tip: MicroRNA is one of the most important epigenetic regulators by targeting mRNAs post-transcriptionally. This article has reviewed the new evidence that has supported the significant role of microRNAs in the metastasis of colorectal cancer. Better understanding of the complex network of microRNAs in colorectal cancer metastasis provide new insights in the biological process of metastasis and in the potential targets for colorectal cancer therapies and for diagnosis of recurrent and metastatic colorectal cancer.