microRNA molecule protecting healthy stomach from cancer

Gastric Cancer Breakthrough: Can This Tiny Molecule Stop Tumor Growth?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists discover that microRNA-593-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by regulating the JUN pathway, offering new hope for treatment."

Gastric cancer remains a significant global health challenge, ranking as one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Researchers are constantly seeking new ways to understand and combat this disease, and microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in cancer development and progression. These tiny molecules, about 22 nucleotides long, regulate gene expression and influence various biological processes, including cell growth, apoptosis, and invasion.

A recent study published in OncoTargets and Therapy has shed light on the role of a specific miRNA, miR-593-5p, in gastric cancer. The researchers found that miR-593-5p is frequently downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, suggesting it may act as a tumor suppressor. This discovery opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies that can restore miR-593-5p levels and inhibit cancer growth and metastasis.

This article will delve into the details of this study, exploring how miR-593-5p functions in gastric cancer, which genes it targets, and the potential implications for future treatments. By understanding the mechanisms behind miR-593-5p's tumor-suppressing activity, we can gain valuable insights into fighting this deadly disease.

How Does miR-593-5p Inhibit Gastric Cancer?

microRNA molecule protecting healthy stomach from cancer

The study's researchers began by analyzing the expression levels of miR-593-5p in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. They found that miR-593-5p was significantly lower in cancer cells compared to normal cells, indicating that it might play a role in suppressing tumor growth. Further analysis revealed that miR-593-5p levels were correlated with tumor size and distant metastasis, suggesting that lower levels of this miRNA were associated with more aggressive cancer behavior.

To understand how miR-593-5p exerts its effects, the researchers conducted a series of experiments to investigate its impact on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. They discovered that increasing miR-593-5p levels in gastric cancer cells inhibited their ability to grow, move, and invade surrounding tissues. Additionally, miR-593-5p was found to arrest the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, preventing cancer cells from dividing and multiplying.

Reduced cell proliferation: Higher miR-593-5p levels slowed down the growth of gastric cancer cells.
Impaired migration and invasion: Increased miR-593-5p hindered the ability of cancer cells to spread.
Cell cycle arrest: miR-593-5p stopped the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, preventing cell division.

These findings suggest that miR-593-5p acts as a tumor suppressor by interfering with multiple processes essential for cancer development and progression. But how does it achieve these effects at the molecular level?

Hope for New Gastric Cancer Therapies

This study has uncovered a critical mechanism by which miR-593-5p suppresses gastric cancer growth and metastasis. By indirectly targeting MST4 and influencing the JUN pathway, miR-593-5p demonstrates its potential as a therapeutic target. Further research is needed to explore how this knowledge can be translated into effective treatments for gastric cancer patients. Future studies might focus on developing methods to deliver miR-593-5p directly to cancer cells or on identifying drugs that can restore its expression. This exciting discovery offers new hope for developing targeted therapies that can improve the outcomes for individuals battling this challenging disease.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2147/ott.s178151, Alternate LINK

Title: Regulation Of Cell Proliferation And Metastasis By Microrna-593-5P In Human Gastric Cancer

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Han Yu, Weiyuan Wei, Wenlong Cao, Zexu Zhan, Linhai Yan, Kun Wu, Dongyi Xie, Bin Cai, Yubo Xie, Qiang Xiao

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is microRNA-593-5p (miR-593-5p) and why is it important in the context of gastric cancer?

MicroRNA-593-5p (miR-593-5p) is a small molecule, specifically a microRNA, that is about 22 nucleotides long. It plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression. In gastric cancer, miR-593-5p acts as a tumor suppressor. Its levels are often lower in cancer cells, and increasing its levels can inhibit cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. This makes it a potential target for developing new gastric cancer therapies. The absence of miR-593-5p promotes tumor progression due to an increased activation of oncogenic pathways, meaning restoration of miR-593-5p function could halt tumor growth.

How does miR-593-5p inhibit the growth and spread of gastric cancer cells?

MiR-593-5p inhibits the growth and spread of gastric cancer cells through several mechanisms. First, it reduces cell proliferation, slowing down the growth of cancer cells. Second, it impairs migration and invasion, hindering the ability of cancer cells to spread to surrounding tissues. Finally, it arrests the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, preventing cancer cells from dividing and multiplying. By impacting these key processes, miR-593-5p acts as a tumor suppressor, helping to control the development and progression of gastric cancer. It is important to note that miR-593-5p achieves this by regulating the JUN pathway.

What is the JUN pathway, and how does miR-593-5p's regulation of it impact gastric cancer?

The JUN pathway is a signaling pathway involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. The study found that miR-593-5p influences the JUN pathway. By regulating the JUN pathway, miR-593-5p demonstrates its potential as a therapeutic target. More specifically, miR-593-5p targets MST4, which in turn affects the JUN pathway.

What future research directions might help translate the miR-593-5p findings into effective treatments for gastric cancer?

Future research can explore several avenues to translate the miR-593-5p findings into effective treatments. One approach is to develop methods for delivering miR-593-5p directly to cancer cells, potentially using nanoparticles or viral vectors. Another strategy involves identifying drugs that can restore miR-593-5p expression in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, researchers could investigate combination therapies that combine miR-593-5p-based treatments with existing chemotherapy or immunotherapy approaches. Further investigation into downstream targets beyond the JUN pathway, as well as clinical trials, are needed.

How did researchers determine that miR-593-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer?

Researchers determined that miR-593-5p functions as a tumor suppressor through a series of experiments. They first observed that miR-593-5p levels were significantly lower in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines compared to normal cells. They also found that lower miR-593-5p levels correlated with larger tumor sizes and distant metastasis. By increasing miR-593-5p levels in gastric cancer cells, they observed a reduction in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These findings collectively support the role of miR-593-5p as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer.