Theragnosis by a miR-141-3p molecular beacon: simultaneous detection and sensitization of 5-fluorouracil resistant colorectal cancer cells through the activation of the TRIM13-associated apoptotic pathway

We developed a molecular beacon targeting miR-141-3p, aberrantly increased in 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cells (R-CRCCs). It consists of a fluorophore-labeled oligonucleotide, antisense to miR-141-3p, and a quencher. It detected R-CRCCs and recovered the chemosensitivity of them to 5-fluorouracil by hybridization with miR-141-3p, which is applicable to cancer treatment. Schematic of the 'therapy and diagnosis at once (theragnosis)' for 5-FU resistant colorectal cancer using the miR-141-3p molecular beacon.