AUTHOR=Tommasi Chiara , Pellegrino Benedetta , Boggiani Daniela , Sikokis Angelica , Michiara Maria , Uliana Vera , Bortesi Beatrice , Bonatti Francesco , Mozzoni Paola , Pinelli Silvana , Squadrilli Anna , Viani Maria Vittoria , Cassi Diana , Maglietta Giuseppe , Meleti Marco , Musolino Antonino TITLE=Biological Role and Clinical Implications of microRNAs in BRCA Mutation Carriers JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.700853 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2021.700853 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

Women with pathogenic germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have an increased risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer. There is, however, a high interpersonal variability in the modality and timing of tumor onset in those subjects, thus suggesting a potential role of other individual’s genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors in modulating the penetrance of BRCA mutations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can modulate the expression of several genes involved in cancer initiation and progression. MiRNAs are dysregulated at all stages of breast cancer and although they are accessible and evaluable, a standardized method for miRNA assessment is needed to ensure comparable data analysis and accuracy of results. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of miRNAs as potential biological markers for BRCA mutation carriers. In particular, biological and clinical implications of a link between lifestyle and nutritional modifiable factors, miRNA expression and germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are discussed with the knowledge of the best available scientific evidence.