Role of microRNA-7 in digestive system malignancy

There are several malignancies of the digestive system（including gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, andhepatocellular carcinoma）, which are the most commontypes of cancer and a major cause of death worldwide.MicroRNA （miR）-7 is abundant in the pancreas, playingan important role in pancreatic development andendocrine function. Expression of miR-7 is downregulatedin digestive system malignancies compared with normaltissue. Although there are contrasting results for miR-7expression, almost all research reveals that miR-7 is atumor suppressor, by targeting various genes in specificpathways. Moreover, miR-7 can target different genessimultaneously in different malignancies of the digestivesystem. By acting on many cytokines, miR-7 is alsoinvolved in many gastrointestinal inflammatory diseasesas a significant carcinogenic factor. Consequently, miR-7might be a biomarker or therapeutic target gene indigestive system malignancies.