The promising role and prognostic value of miR-198 in human diseases.

The importance of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) has attracted more and more attention. MiRNA is an approximately 22-nucleotide, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecule that affects the expression of downstream target genes. MiRNAs regulate the occurrence and development of human diseases. The objective of this article is to explore the abnormal expression of miR-198 in a variety of human diseases. The relationships between abnormally expressed miR-198 and clinicopathological characteristics are also summarized. Its roles in various diseases and potential molecular mechanisms include involvement in many biological processes, such as cell cycle regulation, proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and drug resistance. The potential value of miR-198 for disease diagnosis, treatment, and especially, prognosis, are discussed. More in-depth research on miRNA will support the conversion from basic research to clinical applications of this molecule.