食管鳞状细胞癌中miRNAs的研究进展

食管鳞状细胞癌（esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ESCC）是我国常见食管癌（esophageal cancer, EC）的主要亚型。虽然ESCC从分子遗传学角度已被广泛研究，但其发病分子机制还没有完全阐明。microRNAs（miRNAs）是一类小的内源性非蛋白编码RNAs，在生理、病理过程中发挥着重要作用，包括细胞分化、凋亡、增殖和代谢。miRNAs通过致癌基因、抑癌基因在ESCC的发病机制中扮演着重要角色。近年来研究表明，许多miRNAs在ESCC组织中的表达存在明显的差异，了解miRNAs及其靶基因在ESCC发生发展中的作用，可能为早期检测、诊断、治疗和预后提供策略。

Progress on miRNAs in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) is the major subtype of esophageal cancer(EC) in China. Although the molecular genetics of ESCC have been widely studied, the molecular mechanism of ESCC carcinogenesis has not been completely understood. microRNAs(miRNAs) are a class of small, endogenous, and non-protein-coding RNAs. They have a role in biological and pathological process, including cell differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation and metabolism. miRNAs have a potential role in ESCC pathogenesis through oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Recent years, some studies show that a substantial number of miRNAs are differentially expressed in esophageal cancer tissues. A better knowledge of the roles of miRNAs and their target genes in ESCC development may provide new avenues for the early detection, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of ESCC.