Overexpression of miR-223 decreased FBXW7 expression and the sensitivity of CRC cells to doxorubicin, while suppression of miR-223 had the opposite effect.
There are reduced expression of miR-29a, miR-223, and miR-224 in the feces from the CRC patients, which could be an informative biomarker for screening and early diagnosis of CRC.
After examining the complementary effect, combined analysis of miR-223 and miR-92a, which were commonly present in stool and plasma samples, yielded the highest sensitivity of 96.8% and the specificity of 75% for CRC (AUC = 0.907).
These results identify that C/EBP-β-activated miR-223 contributes to tumour growth by targeting RASA1 in CRC and miR-223-targeted inhibitors may have clinical promise for CRC treatment via suppression of miR-223.
Reducing miR-223 expression resulted in a decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC cells. miR-223 functions as an oncomiR in CRC, therefore serving as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.