卵巢癌往往到晚期才被发现，而等到发现时，癌细胞已经转移到其他器官，难以通过化疗等方法治疗。美国最新研究发现，一种MicroRNA可以有效对抗卵巢癌，这一发现将使医生有可能采用传统的化疗方法治疗卵巢癌。
美国佐治亚理工学院的研究人员在美国新一期《妇科肿瘤学》杂志上报告说，他们在实验中利用具有调控功能的MiRNA－429，使卵巢癌细胞转变成不能转移的状态，从而使癌细胞无法扩散。
负责这项研究的约翰·麦克唐纳指出，这一发现将使医生有可能将病人的癌细胞生命周期调回到可以采用传统的化疗方法治疗的阶段。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推荐英文摘要：
Gynecologic Oncology doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2010.12.339
Overexpression of miR-429 induces mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in metastatic ovarian cancer cells
Jing Chena, Lijuan Wanga, Lilya V. Matyuninaa, Christopher G. Hilla and John F. McDonald, a,
a Integrated Cancer Research Center, School of Biology and Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 315 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, GA 30332-0363, USA
Objective
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies primarily due to the sloughing-off of highly metastatic cells from primary tumors and their subsequent spread throughout the peritoneal cavity. Since the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of OC cells located at the periphery of primary tumors is essential to this process, molecular interventions that can block EMT are of potential clinical significance. Members of the miR200 family of microRNAs have been implicated in EMT in other cancers. Our purpose was to determine if miR200 family microRNAs may be involved in EMT in OC and of potential therapeutic value in reducing OC metastasis.
Methods
Gene expression profiles of two OC cell lines with different metastatic potentials were monitored using qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). The effect of over-expression of a miR-200 family microRNA (miR-429) in metastatic OC cells was monitored on molecular (qRT-PCR and microarray) and functional (morphology, migration, invasiveness and anchorage independence assays) levels.
Results
Molecular profiling of two OC cell lines with differing metastatic potentials identified significant differences in previously established epithelial and mesenchymal cell biomarkers including E-cadherin, ZEB1, ZEB2, miR-205 and miR-200 family microRNAs. Ectopic overexpression of miR-429, a member of the miR-200 family of microRNAs, in mesenchymal-like OC cells resulted in reversal of the mesenchymal phenotype (mesenchymal–epithelial transition, MET).
Conclusions
Our results indicate that miR-429 may not only be a useful biomarker of EMT in ovarian cancer, but also of potential therapeutic value in abating OC metastasis.
