miR-28-5p and miR-708-5p Share a Common Seed with Different Functions in Lung Cancer Patients

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for nearly 1.8 million deaths annually. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-28-5p and miR-708-5p in lung cancer and to analyze the relationship between target gene profiles and transcriptional factor regulation. Both miRNAs that share a common seed sequence were found to be overexpressed in a cohort of 32 paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples collected from patients diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV) of disease. Data from the dbDEMC database revealed that miR-28-5p exhibited variable expression across lung cancer subtypes, whereas miR-708-5p showed consistent overexpression, reinforcing its potential clinical diagnostic significance. Using the TransmiR database, we identified complex TF-miRNA regulatory networks, with both shared and distinct transcription factors controlling miR-28-5p and miR-708-5p. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these miRNAs regulate several cancer-associated pathways, including ECM-receptor interaction, adherens junctions, and Hippo signaling. Overall, our findings suggest that miR-708-5p may have a potential clinical application in lung cancer.