Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated microRNAs in colorectal cancer and drug-targeted therapies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies, and the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Therefore, the identification of effective targets at the early stages of cancer invasion and metastasis, and new tumor markers for early diagnosis and individualized treatment is imperative for CRC. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to the phenomenon of the transformation of epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells in specific physiological and/or pathological circumstances. Evidence suggests that EMT plays an important role in in situ infiltration and distant metastasis of many types of cancer, including CRC. Recent findings showed that microRNA expression is important in regulating the EMT process. This review aimed to summarize EMT-associated specific miRNA molecules in CRC, with particular emphasis on clinical targets for effective treatment of this lethal disease.