miR-96 and its versatile role in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 18-27 nucleotides that regulate gene expression after transcription. The great stability of detectable miRNAs in tissue, blood, and other body fluids provides a rich supply of miRNA-based biomarkers in human malignancies. miRNA dysregulation has been linked to cancer often, especially since they are commonly involved in mechanisms such as transcriptional control, epigenetic regulation and genomic instabilities. Despite the fact that a growing number of potential miRNA biomarkers have been identified, the translation of miRNA-based biomarkers from bench to bedside still faces a number of obstacles. miR-96 is encoded by conserved & paralogous miR-183/-96/-182 cluster that is widely studied in cancer. miR-96 is one of the most important miRNAs that is fast emerging as a novel biomarker with great potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in all types of cancers of the body. miR-96 plays a direct or indirect role as an oncogene in various cancers. miR-96 was believed to suppress Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Osteosarcoma, Gastric adenocarcinoma and Bladder cancer. The miR-96 is also considered to have the function to promote malignancy as well as chemoresistance in Breast cancer. We present the most recent research findings on miR96's clinicopathological relevance, development, and progress in this review, highlighting its oncogenic and tumor suppressive capabilities and an intermediate role in progressing the development of cancer, being a part of some cancer promoting pathways.