MicroRNAs in prostate cancer: from biomarkers to molecularly-based therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are effective regulators of gene expression that have a significant role in the pathogenesis of prostate and various other cancers. The high prevalence of aberrant miRNA expression in prostate cancer, and miRNAs' distinctive properties, give much hope that they can be used as biomarkers and next generation of molecular anticancer therapeutics. Herein, we review the literature on miRNA involvement in prostate cancer pathogenesis and the current understanding of their role as oncogenes, tumor suppressors and metastasis-regulators. We also review the latest research on miRNAs in prostate cancer preclinical studies and clinical trials, and highlight the advantages and challenges of possible miRNA-based therapies. The emerging information regarding the biology of miRNAs in prostate cancer is promising, and may lead to a role(s) for these molecules as diagnostic/prognostic markers and effective therapeutic tools for better molecularly targeted treatment of prostate cancer.