ARS | Publication request: Phytoalexins, miRNAs and breast cancer: a review of phytochemical mediated miRNA regulation in breast cancer

Submitted to: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2013
Publication Date: February 15, 2013
Citation: Tilghman, S.L., Rhodes, L.V., Bratton, M., Carriere, P., Preyan, L.C., Boue, S.M., Mclachlan, J., Burow, M.E. 2013. Phytoalexins, miRNAs and breast cancer: a review of phytochemical mediated miRNA regulation in breast cancer. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 24:36-46.

Interpretive Summary: A specific class of RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified. It has been found that miRNAs are associated with many biological processes and disease states, including all stages of cancer from initiation to tumor promotion and progression. These studies demonstrate natural products, including several plant compounds, could alter the expression of specific miRNAs, which may lead to the increased sensitivity of cancer cells to conventional anti-cancer agents, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. This review article highlights recent research in this area.

Technical Abstract: A specific class of endogenous, non-coding RNAs, classified as microRNAs (miRNAs), has been identified. It has been found that miRNAs are associated with many biological processes and disease states, including all stages of cancer from initiation to tumor promotion and progression. These studies demonstrate natural products; including curcumin, isoflavones, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), diindolylmethane (DIM), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), could alter the expression of specific miRNAs, which may lead to the increased sensitivity of cancer cells to conventional anti-cancer agents, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. This review article highlights recent research in this area.