Using microRNA profiles to predict and evaluate hepatic carcinogenic potential

N J Gooderham; C Koufaris

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.04.015

Using microRNA profiles to predict and evaluate hepatic carcinogenic potential

Toxicol Lett. 2014 Jul 15;228(2):127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.04.015. Epub 2014 Apr 30.

Authors

N J Gooderham¹, C Koufaris²

Affiliations

¹ Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London SW72AZ, UK.
² Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus. Electronic address: costask@cing.ac.cy.

PMID: 24793013
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.04.015

Abstract

Novel chemical entities have to be assessed for potential adverse effects in exposed human populations, including increased cancer incidence. The liver is an organ of particular interest for such evaluations, due to its central metabolic and detoxifying functions that render it a frequent target of exogenous carcinogens. In recent years a number of studies have investigated the use of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers to facilitate the identification, characterization, and mechanistic understanding of chemical hepatocarcinogens. In this review we discuss the main findings of these studies, the potential biological significance of observed miRNA perturbations, and avenues of future research.

Keywords: Carcinogen; Epigenetic; Liver; microRNA.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Carcinogenicity Tests / methods*
Carcinogens / toxicity*
Gene Expression Profiling
Humans
Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced*
Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
MicroRNAs / analysis*
MicroRNAs / genetics*
Predictive Value of Tests
Toxicogenetics / methods*

Substances

Carcinogens
MicroRNAs