Exploring the role of miR-361-3p in gastric cancer therapeutics and tumor progression

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Even with advancements in treatment, it is not known precisely which molecular pathways cause GC to proceed. MicroRNAs, often referred to as small noncoding RNAs, have a crucial role in regulating gene expression, which impacts cancer growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Among these, miR-361–3p has drawn interest due to its possible role in the development of human cancer. While accumulating evidence highlights miR-361–3p involvement in various cancers, its precise biological function in gastric cancer remains largely unclear.

Methodology

The expression levels of miR-361–3p in gastric cancer tissues were compared with those of adjacent non-cancer tissues using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The investigation involved a thorough examination of the expression of miR-361–3p in GC samples in order to identify any possible correlations with clinicopathological characteristics.

Results

In 64.86 % of gastric cancer, expression levels of miR-361–3p mRNA were significantly reduced, which indicates that it may play a potential role in the pathophysiology of GC. However, no significant association has been found between miR-361–3p expression levels and clinical pathological features, such as tumor size, phase, or involvement of lymph nodes. This suggests that although miR-361–3p may contribute to GC progress, it is not related to traditional clinical markers.