Almost 30 years ago, overexpression of
HMGA proteins was associated with malignant phenotype of rat thyroid cells transformed with murine retroviruses. Thereafter, several studies have analyzed
HMGA expression in a wide range of human
neoplasias. Here, we summarize all these results that, in the large majority of the cases, confirm the association of
HMGA overexpression with high malignant phenotype as outlined by chemoresistance, spreading of
metastases, and a global poor survival. Even though
HMGA proteins' overexpression indicates a poor prognosis in almost all
malignancies, their detection may be particularly useful in determining the prognosis of breast, lung, and colon
carcinomas, suggesting for the treatment a more aggressive
therapy. In particular, the expression of HMGA2 in lung
carcinomas is frequently associated with the presence of
metastases. Moreover, recent data revealed that often the cause for the high
HMGA proteins levels detected in human
malignancies is a deregulated expression of
non-coding RNA. Therefore, the
HMGA proteins represent
tumor markers whose detection can be a valid tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of neoplastic diseases.