miR-25-3p inhibition impairs tumorigenesis and invasion in gastric cancer cells <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>

Abstract

Deregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a role in the pathogenesis and progression of gastric cancer (GC). Among upregulated miRNAs, miR-25-3p has oncogenic potential and therefore represents an attractive target for the treatment of GC. Here, we investigated the role of miR-25-3p on GC cells <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. We found that miR-25-3p overexpression significantly promoted growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells <i>in vitro</i>. Conversely, targeting miR-25-3p triggered significant inhibition of growth, invasion and migration in GC cells <i>in vitro. In vivo</i> delivery of miR-25-3p inhibitors induced significant anti-tumor activity in SCID mice bearing human GC xenografts. Our findings showed the evidence that <i>in vivo</i> antagonism of miR-25-3p impaired tumorigenesis, providing the rationale for clinical development of miR-25-3p inhibitors in GC.