Micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs) form a distinct subtype of non-coding RNA and are widely recognized as one of the most significant gene expression regulators in mammalian cells. Mechanistically, the regulation occurs through microRNA binding with its response elements in the 3’-untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), resulting in the post-transcriptional silencing of genes, expressing target mRNAs. Compared to small interfering RNAs, microRNAs have more complex regulatory patterns, making them suitable for fine-tuning gene expressions in different tissues. Dysregulation of microRNAs is well known as one of the causative factors in malignant cell growth. Today, there are numerous data points regarding microRNAs in different cancer transcriptomes, the specificity of microRNA expression changes in various tissues, and the predictive value of specific microRNAs as cancer biomarkers. Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cancer in women worldwide and seriously impairs patients’ physical health. Its incidence has been predicted to rise further. Mounting evidence indicates that microRNAs play key roles in tumorigenesis and development. Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. Different microRNAs play an important role in PCa. Early diagnosis of BCa and PCa using microRNAs is very useful for improving individual outcomes in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized (3P) medicine, thereby reducing the economic burden. This article reviews the roles of different types of microRNA in BCa and PCa progression.

BACKGROUND: According to statistics, gastric cancer is in a leading position among all gastrointestinal cancers. The most effective treatment for gastric cancer is surgery. There are now heterogeneous clinical outcomes for patients in the same stage of the disease. The main reason for this is the fact that differences in types of gastric cancer occur not only at the histological level, but also at the molecular level. Finding the universal biomarkers that can provide information about patient prognosis is a subject of interest to scientists around the world. MMP-7 is the smallest molecule in the family of matrix metalloproteinases that contributes significantly to oncogenesis by affecting apoptosis and degradation of the extracellular matrix. MMP-7 hyperexpression is associated with aggressive tumor phenotype and worsens prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, MMP-7 can be a promising biomarker in the treatment of gastric cancer. AIM: To identify possible correlations between the expression of MMP-7 in patients with gastric cancer and their prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included samples of 80 patients diagnosed with diffuse gastric cancer, who were selected based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria. 30 sectional stomach samples were taken as a comparison group. Of the 80 patients included in the study, gastrectomy was performed in 55% cases (44 people) and gastric resection was performed in 45% cases (36 people). RESULTS: In our work, the expression level of MMP-7 0.8±0.07 was indicated as high, and the expression rate of 0.40±0.067 as low. During the study, we assessed the link between the level of MMP-7 expression and the clinical characteristics of the tumor. We evaluated the following indicators: the disease stage, the presence of lesions of lymph nodes, the size of the tumor. Patients with increased MMP-7 expression in tumor tissue have a better prognosis than patients with low MMP-7 expression. CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed high MMP-7 expression in tumor tissue, which allowed us to establish a correlation between MMP-7 expression and adverse clinical outcomes. The data obtained may indicate the possible use of MMP-7 as a biomarker for gastric cancer.

В данной статье рассматривается проблема изучения дисциплины «Онкология» на стоматологическом факультете. В небольшом количестве вузов России данная дисциплина введена в учебную программу будущих стоматологов. Врачи стоматологи играют важную роль в области ранней диагностики онкологических заболеваний головы и шеи. Данное исследование направлено на изучение информированности студентов-стоматологов до и после прохождения цикла по дисциплине «Онкология». Поперечное исследование было проведено среди студентов для оценки текущего уровня осведомленности о ранней диагностике рака полости рта путем анализа их знаний и навыков. Перед проведением исследования был изучен зарубежный опыт проведения подобных исследований и составлено тестирование из 40 вопросов о проявлениях онкологических заболеваний головы и шеи. Разница в общей осведомленности о раке полости рта между студентами до прохождения цикла «Онкология» и после была статистически значимой (р < 0,05). До изучения онкологии всего 28 % студентов стоматологов понимали, как заподозрить рак полости рта у пациента. Таким образом, полученные данные указывают на необходимость введения дисциплины «Онкология» на стоматологических факультетах медицинских вузов РФ. Данная учебная программа онконастороженности среди студентов необходима для реализации и повышения раннего выявления предраковых состояний, а также снижение заболеваемости и смертности среди населения.