MicroRNA Regulation of Energy Metabolism to Induce Chemoresistance in Cancers.

Since "Warburg effect" has been firstly uncovered in cancer cells in 1956, mounting evidence has supported the molecular mechanism underlying the energy metabolism in induced chemoresistance in cancers. MicroRNAs can mediate fine-tuning of genes in physiological process. MicroRNAs' energy metabolic role in chemoresistance has been probed recently. In this review, we summarize 5 microRNAs in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and other energy metabolism. They partially modulate chemoresistance to cancer treatments. Furthermore, we discuss the great therapeutic potential of metabolism-related microRNAs in novel combinatorial means to treat human cancers.