Therapeutic Potential of MicroRNA Let-7: Tumor Suppression or Impeding Normal Stemness

• Main Authors: Shao-Chih Chiu, Hao-Yu Chung, Der-Yang Cho, Tzu-Min Chan, Ming-Chao Liu, Hiang-Ming Huang, Tsyng-You Li, Jian-Yong Lin, Pei-Chang Chou, Ru-Huei Fu, Wen-Kuang Yang, Horng-Jyh Harn, Shinn-Zong Lin M.D., Ph.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2014-05-01
• Series: Cell Transplantation
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3727/096368914X678418

The first microRNA, let-7, and its family were discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans and are functionally conserved from worms to humans in the regulation of embryonic development and stemness. The let-7 family has been shown to have an essential role in stem cell differentiation and tumor-suppressive activity. Deregulating expression of let-7 is commonly reported in many human cancers. Emerging evidence has accumulated and suggests that reestablishment of let-7 in tumor cells is a valuable therapeutic strategy. However, findings reach beyond tumor therapeutics and may impinge on stemness and differentiation of stem cells. In this review, we discuss the role of let-7 in development and differentiation of normal adult stem/progenitor cells and offer a viewpoint of the association between deregulated let-7 expression and tumorigenesis. The regulation of let-7 expression, cancer-relevant let-7 targets, and the application of let-7 are highlighted.