LAT1 and ASCT2 Related microRNAs as Potential New Therapeutic Agents against Colorectal Cancer Progression

The development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been associated with genetic and epigenetic alterations and more recently with changes in cell metabolism. Amino acid transporters are key players in tumor development, and it is described that tumor cells upregulate some AA transporters in order to support the increased amino acid (AA) intake to sustain the tumor additional needs for tumor growth and proliferation through the activation of several signaling pathways. LAT1 and ASCT2 are two AA transporters involved in the regulation of the mTOR pathway that has been reported as upregulated in CRC. Some attempts have been made in order to develop therapeutic approaches to target these AA transporters, however none have reached the clinical setting so far. MiRNA-based therapies have been gaining increasing attention from pharmaceutical companies and now several miRNA-based drugs are currently in clinical trials with promising results. In this review we combine a bioinformatic approach with a literature review in order to identify a miRNA profile with the potential to target both LAT1 and ASCT2 with potential to be used as a therapeutic approach against CRC.

Automated summary

The development and progression of colorectal cancer are associated with changes in amino acid transporters, with tumor cells upregulating certain transporters to support increased amino acid intake for growth and proliferation. While therapeutic approaches targeting these transporters have been attempted, none have reached clinical application yet. MiRNA-based therapies are gaining attention, with several drugs in clinical trials showing promising results.