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MicroRNAs in Cancer Development and Mesothelioma Personalized Medicine

ByHolly Zink

MicroRNAs in Cancer Development and Mesothelioma Personalized MedicineA special issue was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. Dr. Alessandra Pulliero from the University of Genoa in Italy talks about microRNA. Specifically, the role of microRNA in cancer development and personalized medicine.

A microRNA (miRNA) is a small part of an RNA molecule. MiRNAs play a key role in the regulation of gene expression in cells, including mesothelioma cells.

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer often caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes a progressive lung disease called asbestosis.

Environmental exposure to asbestos often causes a higher incidence of malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is characterized by poor prognosis and short survival.

Personalized Medicine and Mesothelioma

Scientists now know that the role of miRNAs changes once they have been exposed to asbestos. The key processes of cell survival, proliferation, and immune response are hindered. Exposure to air pollutants, such as asbestos, is a dominant factor in the development of lung cancer.

The miRNAs are commonly affected by both air pollution and the development of cancer. Italian scientists have identified a total of 25 miRNAs that meet such criteria.

Genomics is a new branch of medicine that involves using a patient’s genetic information to create personalized medicine plans. Oncogenomics is the application of this information to the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma and other cancers.

The identification of these 25 miRNAs is helpful for oncogenomics. Mesothelioma clinicians can use precision or personalized medicine.

These are useful tools for preventive strategies. And they could help with predicting and detecting chronic disease much earlier in the disease course. This would improve the quality of care and quality of life of mesothelioma patients. And it would reduce healthcare time, efforts, and costs.

Source

Pulliero, Alessandra, and Alberto Izzotti. ““Role of MicroRNA in Cancer Development and Treatment”.” Journal of Personalized Medicine 12, no. 3 (2022): 503. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12030503

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