Microscopic view of liver cancer cells neutralized by miR-200b molecules.

Cracking the Code: How Upregulating miR-200b Could Stop Liver Cancer in Its Tracks

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists Discover a Potential New Way to Fight Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting HMGB3 Protein"

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, stands as a significant global health challenge. Often diagnosed at advanced stages, HCC's high recurrence rates after treatment underscore the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Current treatments, such as surgical resection and transplantation, have limitations, making the exploration of new molecular targets crucial.

In a recent study, researchers investigated the role of HMGB3, a protein overexpressed in several cancers, including gastric cancer, in the context of HCC. The study sheds light on the intricate relationship between HMGB3 and a microRNA called miR-200b, revealing a potential new avenue for therapeutic intervention.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play a vital role in regulating gene expression. They've been identified as key players in various biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer development. This study focuses on miR-200b's ability to suppress tumor growth and its interaction with HMGB3 in liver cancer cells, uncovering a promising new target for cancer therapy.

How Does miR-200b Target HMGB3 to Stop Liver Cancer?

Microscopic view of liver cancer cells neutralized by miR-200b molecules.

The study's central finding revolves around the interaction between miR-200b and HMGB3. Researchers discovered that HMGB3, a protein often elevated in cancerous tissues, contributes significantly to the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. By analyzing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), they confirmed that HMGB3 is indeed upregulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue.

To understand the functional link, the team explored whether miR-200b, known for its tumor-suppressing properties, could regulate HMGB3. Their experiments revealed that miR-200b directly targets HMGB3, suppressing its expression and consequently inhibiting the growth and spread of liver cancer cells. This regulatory relationship was further confirmed through luciferase assays, a technique used to measure gene expression, demonstrating that HMGB3 is a direct target of miR-200b.

TCGA Data Analysis: Researchers used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to confirm HMGB3 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissues.
HMGB3 Knockdown: Reducing HMGB3 levels in liver cancer cell lines suppressed cell growth and movement.
TargetScan Analysis: Identified miR-200b as a potential regulator of HMGB3.
Luciferase Assays: Confirmed HMGB3 as a direct target of miR-200b.
MiR-200b Upregulation: Increasing miR-200b levels inhibited liver cancer cell growth and migration.

Moreover, the study revealed a strong correlation between HMGB3 overexpression and miR-200b downregulation with poor prognosis in HCC patients. This suggests that restoring miR-200b levels to suppress HMGB3 could offer a potential therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in liver cancer.

The Future of Liver Cancer Treatment: Harnessing the Power of miR-200b

This research provides a compelling case for HMGB3 as a crucial oncoprotein in HCC and highlights the therapeutic potential of miR-200b. By understanding and manipulating the miR-200b/HMGB3 axis, scientists may be able to develop more effective treatments for liver cancer. Future studies could focus on designing therapies that specifically increase miR-200b levels in HCC cells or target HMGB3 directly, ultimately improving patient outcomes and survival rates. These findings represent a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against liver cancer.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1533033818806475, Alternate LINK

Title: Upregulation Of Mir-200B Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation And Migration By Targeting Hmgb3 Protein

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Long-Kun Wang, Xi-Na Xie, Xu-Hong Song, Ting Su, Xiao-Lan Chang, Man Xu, Bin Liang, Dong-Yang Huang

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and why is there a need for new treatment strategies?

Hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, is a type of liver cancer that presents a major global health challenge because it's often diagnosed late and has high recurrence rates. Traditional treatments like surgery and transplantation aren't always effective, making it essential to find new ways to target the disease at a molecular level. The study focuses on identifying and understanding these molecular targets to develop more effective therapies.

What are microRNAs (miRNAs), and what role does miR-200b play in cancer?

MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, like miR-200b, are small, non-coding RNA molecules crucial for regulating gene expression. They influence cell processes like growth, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and cancer development. Specifically, miR-200b has tumor-suppressing properties, and the study explores how it interacts with the HMGB3 protein in liver cancer cells to potentially stop cancer progression.

How does miR-200b target HMGB3 to inhibit the growth and spread of liver cancer cells?

The study demonstrated that miR-200b directly targets HMGB3, a protein overexpressed in liver cancer cells, suppressing its expression. By reducing HMGB3 levels, miR-200b inhibits the growth and migration of these cancer cells. This interaction was confirmed using techniques such as luciferase assays, showing a direct regulatory relationship where miR-200b effectively controls HMGB3 to curb cancer development. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data also confirmed that HMGB3 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissues.

What are the implications of HMGB3 overexpression and miR-200b downregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis?

The overexpression of HMGB3 and the downregulation of miR-200b are associated with a poorer prognosis in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma. This inverse relationship suggests that restoring miR-200b levels to suppress HMGB3 could serve as a viable therapeutic strategy. By rebalancing the levels of these molecules, it may be possible to improve treatment outcomes and overall survival rates in liver cancer patients.

What are the potential future directions for liver cancer treatment based on the findings regarding miR-200b and HMGB3?

Future research may focus on creating therapies that boost miR-200b levels in HCC cells or directly target HMGB3. By effectively manipulating the miR-200b/HMGB3 interaction, scientists hope to develop more targeted and successful treatments for liver cancer. These advancements could significantly improve patient outcomes and survival rates, marking a substantial advancement in the fight against this challenging disease. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms of HMGB3 regulation and its impact on other cellular pathways could reveal additional therapeutic targets.