Role of microRNAs in breast cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of post-transcriptional gene regulators with critical functions in normal cellular processes as well as disease processes. They are small molecules with 18~23 nucleotides in length. Since their early discovery in 1993, a large number of miRNAs have been characterized and analyzed to understand their pivotal role and their impact in a myriad of biological processes. Substantial research on miRNA highlights the involvement of these tiny RNAs in the etiopathogenesis of a variety of human diseases such as cancer, neuro-degenerative disorders, diabetes, cardiac hypertrophy and respiratory diseases. In this review, we update on recent advances of the emerging role of miRNAs in breast cancer and their clinical implications.