Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

09:06
MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
MicroRNAs as potential cancer therapeutics
P Trang1, J B Weidhaas, F J Slack
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Oncogene
|December 4, 2009
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in cell functions and cancer development. This review explores their potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate fundamental cellular processes including apoptosis, differentiation, and development.
- Aberrant miRNA expression is frequently observed in human cancers.
- MiRNAs can function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microRNAs in human cancers.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for cancer management.
- To discuss the application of miRNAs in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on microRNAs and cancer.
- Analysis of miRNA mis-expression patterns in various human malignancies.
- Evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic value of miRNAs.
- Assessment of therapeutic strategies involving miRNAs.
Main Results:
- MiRNAs are significantly mis-expressed in diverse human cancers.
- These mis-expressed miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
- Evidence suggests miRNAs hold promise as sensitive and specific biomarkers.
- MiRNA-based therapies are emerging as a novel treatment modality.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs represent a significant area of research in oncology.
- Their dysregulation in cancer highlights their critical roles.
- MiRNAs offer substantial potential for improving cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...

