Small non-coding RNAs as a tool for personalized therapy in familial cancers

Abstract Despite advances in cancer treatment and prevention, familial cancers remain a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Familial cancers, particularly breast, ovarian, and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, are a group of complex and heterogeneous tumors which contain germline mutations, complicating their clinical diagnosis and treatment. Recently, genome profiling has emanated as a diagnostic and prognostic tool to assist clinicians in making better decisions in response to therapy. Such approaches identify mutations in the coding, as well as the noncoding (nc) genome, which is now appreciated to impact gene regulation. Current studies have confirmed the involvement of ncRNAs (miRNAs, snRNAs, piRNAs, siRNAs, and snoRNAs) in promoting altered gene expression patterns and the development of cancer. This can be harnessed to develop noninvasive diagnostic tools and novel treatments; indeed, miRNAs can circulate stably in body fluids. In this chapter, we have focused on the discovery, characterization, toxicity, and involvement of ncRNAs in precision medicine for managing and diagnosing familial cancers.