Cancer statistics show significant diagnosis numbers amongst men and women worldwide, where
breast cancer is by far the most frequently diagnosed
cancer in women. Multiple mechanisms and molecules have been shown to occupy major roles in
cancer progression and aggressivity. Recently,
small non-coding RNA molecules, called micro-RNAs, have become the subject of interest in many molecular pathways in relation to
breast cancer, amongst many other pathologies.
MiRNAs are capable of regulating gene expression in a sequence-specific manner and regulate diverse expression patterns which are dependent on the cell's state and identity. Studies have brought forward specific
miRNAs that have the innate ability to govern unique gene expression profiles regulating
cancer cell aggressivity. This review will outline recent findings of characterized
miRNAs in relation to their molecular targets leading to
cancer malignancy and progression. More specifically, we will focus on
miRNAs associated with
breast cancer metastatic processes including epithelial to mesenchymal and mesenchymal to epithelial transitioning (EMT/MET transition), migration, invasion and angiogenesis.