MicroRNA in lung cancer diagnostics and treatment

MicroRNAs (miRs) are short RNA chains that regulate gene expression by inhibition of mRNA translation. Their expression is often deranged in cancer. Increasing evidence indicates that these molecules play an important role in oncogenesis and cancer progression. This review focuses on the clinical application of miRs in lung cancer, with the emphasis on detection of early lung cancer, prognostication and chemotherapy sensitivity prediction. Methodological aspects of studies on prognostic markers in early NSCLC are outlined in detail. Finally, modulation of miR expression in lung cancer as a therapeutic possibility is discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.