MicroRNA involvement in esophageal carcinogenesis

MicroRNAs (miRs) have recently emerged as a novel class of gene expression regulators. The number of studies documenting an altered miR expression pattern in cancer continues to expand rapidly. Critical information is continuously gained regarding how aberrantly expressed miRs contribute to carcinogenesis. Current studies provide evidence that analyses of miR expression patterns have potential clinical applications toward developing tumor biomarkers to identify the presence and dissemination of esophageal cancer, as well as to assess tumor chemosensitivity or radiosensitivity. The incidence of esophageal cancer is on the rise, and this disease continues to portend a poor prognosis. The current review addresses ways in which altered miR expression contributes to esophageal carcinogenesis, along with how recent discoveries may be applied clinically.

► Esophageal cancer is a devastating disease with a significant incidence and a dismal prognosis.
► MicroRNAs (miRs) are important gene expression regulators.
► Altered miR expression patterns have a significant impact on human disease, particularly in cancers.
► Mir expression analysis provides insight into the mechanisms driving esophageal cancer formation and progression.
► Aberrantly expressed miRs are potential biomarkers to detect the presence of an esophageal tumor, to assess the invasiveness of esophageal cancers, and to predict the patient's prognosis and response to treatment.