MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Renal Cell Carcinoma and TheirDiagnostic and Prognostic Utility as Cancer Biomarkers

Purpose To provide information about the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis ofrenal cell carcinoma (RCC) and their diagnostic and prognostic utility ascancer biomarkers. Methods A literature search was performed in the PubMed and Web of Science databasesusing the keywords “renal cancer/renal cell carcinoma/kidneycancer” and“miR*/miRNA*/microRNA*”. Articles dealingwith the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of RCC, diagnostic miRNAs andprognostic miRNAs were separated. Results MiRNAs act both as oncogenes and tumor suppressors. They regulate apoptosis,cell growth, migration, invasion, proliferation, colony formation andangiogenesis through target proteins involved in several signaling pathways,and they are involved in key pathogenetic mechanisms such as hypoxia(HIF/VHL dependent) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Differentiallyexpressed miRNAs can discriminate either tumor tissue from healthy renaltissue or different RCC subtypes. Circulating miRNAs are promissing asdiagnostic biomarkers of RCC. Information about urinary miRNAs associatedwith RCC is sparse. Detection of a relapse is another implication ofdiagnostic miRNAs. The expression profiles of several miRNAs correlate withthe prognosis of RCC patients. Comparison between primary tumor tissue andmetastasis may help identify high-risk primary tumors. Finally, response totarget therapy can be estimated thanks to differences in miRNA expression intissue and serum of therapy-resistant versus therapy-sensitive patients. Conclusions Our understanding of the role of microRNAs in RCC pathogenesis has beenincreasing dramatically. Identification and validation of their gene targetsmay have direct impact on developing microRNA-based anticancer therapy.Several microRNAs can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.