Role of MicroRNAs in the Development and Progression of the Four Medulloblastoma Subgroups

Simple Summary Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour. Medulloblastoma originates in the cerebellum, a structure located at the base of the brain, affecting movement and balance in patients. Due to DNA alterations, known as mutation, some immature cells acquire new properties, transform from healthy cells into cancer cells and begin multiplying uncontrollably. During carcinogenesis, microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) play important roles in medulloblastoma, helping cells to proliferate (oncomiRs) or inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell differentiation (tumour suppressor miRs). Therefore, in this review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in the four medulloblastoma subgroups and the importance of these non-coding RNAs to provide potential therapeutic applications. Medulloblastoma is the most frequent malignant brain tumour in children. Medulloblastoma originate during the embryonic stage. They are located in the cerebellum, which is the area of the central nervous system (CNS) responsible for controlling equilibrium and coordination of movements. In 2012, medulloblastoma were divided into four subgroups based on a genome-wide analysis of RNA expression. These subgroups are named Wingless, Sonic Hedgehog, Group 3 and Group 4. Each subgroup has a different cell of origin, prognosis, and response to therapies. Wingless and Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma are so named based on the main mutation originating these tumours. Group 3 and Group 4 have generic names because we do not know the key mutation driving these tumours. Gene expression at the post-transcriptional level is regulated by a group of small single-stranded non-coding RNAs. These microRNA (miRNAs or miRs) play a central role in several cellular functions such as cell differentiation and, therefore, any malfunction in this regulatory system leads to a variety of disorders such as cancer. The role of miRNAs in medulloblastoma is still a topic of intense clinical research; previous studies have mostly concentrated on the clinical entity of the single disease rather than in the four molecular subgroups. In this review, we summarize the latest discoveries on miRNAs in the four medulloblastoma subgroups.

Automated summary

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, originating in the cerebellum due to DNA alterations. miRNAs play important roles in medulloblastoma, either helping cell proliferation or inhibiting it to promote cell differentiation. Further research on the role of miRNAs in the four molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma is ongoing to provide potential therapeutic applications.