A recent study has provided evidence that a group of microRNAs, called the miRNA-200 family, can be used to predict the likely course of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small pieces of RNA (nucleic acid that is found in all living cells) that act as messengers to regulate the synthesis of protein from DNA instructions. The miR-200 family is involved in the regulation of various biological processes in tumour cells, such as cell death (apoptosis), cell division and growth (proliferation), invasion, and metastasis. They suppress these processes in tumour cells, and the miRNA-200 family is significantly decreased in cancer cells compared to healthy cells.

The study concludes that the miRNA-200 family could be used as an independent prognostic marker for clear cell RCC.

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