ceRNA Cancer Networks

The team aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of breast cancer characterized by its heterogeneity and lack of targeted therapies. By focusing on the role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks (ceRNome), the team seeks to identify key regulatory factors that influence metastatic processes such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, migration, and invasion. These networks involve interactions between microRNAs (miRs) and various messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which collectively modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial because it could reveal novel circulatory biomarkers and new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, addressing the gap in effective treatments for TNBC. The expected impact of this research includes advancing precision medicine approaches, leading to the development of innovative therapies that can inhibit metastasis and improve patient survival rates. Ultimately, the group aims to translate insights from ceRNAs and miRs network regulation into innovative clinical strategies and identify novel therapeutic targets, thereby offering hope for better management of this formidable disease and reducing its high mortality rate.

Taher Al-Tweigeri, Kausar Suleman, Wafa Alkhayal, Asma Tulbah.