A team of researchers has found that the expression pattern of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) may predict tumor aggressiveness in some patients with lung cancer. These findings indicate that miRNAs may represent a new class of diagnostic and prognostic tools for lung cancer, according to study results in the March 13 Cancer Cell.

miRNAs are small segments of RNA thought to control gene expression. Their actions could change the expression of cancer-related genes within a cell and lead to malignancies.

The researchers identified two miRNAs - has-mir-155 and has-let-7a-2 - that could be used as prognostic indicators in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. High levels of has-mir-155 or low levels of has-let-7a-2 were associated with poor prognosis. Specifically, overexpression of has-mir-155 was the most significant indicator of this prognosis, independent of tumor stage. Although these miRNAs have been identified in other cancers, this is the first evidence linking has-mir-155 to lung cancer.  Read more  



Guest Update by Dr. Robert Croyle

NCI's Tobacco Control Research Yields Results

This is an exciting time in tobacco control research, particularly because of the excellent progress that has been made in smoking prevention and cessation.

Cigarette sales, for example, are at their lowest point in more than 5 decades. Our messages about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure are being heard: more and more U.S. cities and states, not to mention many other countries, have passed laws that ban smoking in public establishments, including workplaces, restaurants, and bars.  Read more  

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