MicroRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of unstable angina

During the last decade, a growing body of evidence has shown an interplay of genetics and inflammation which leads to a greater understanding of the complex pathophysiology of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Of great interest are non-coding RNAs, called microRNAs due to their importance for many aspects of homeostasis and disease. According significant data, they have been implicated in the regulation of several human physiological processes, while they seem to participate in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis including atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes. Accordingly, other biomarkers beyond troponins such as microRNAs, could be proved very useful in the aim of enhancing diagnostic or therapeutic effectiveness. Notably, there is evidence that patients with unstable angina pectoris could be discriminated from stable patients, given higher expression levels of several microRNAs, suggesting that they could be used to identify patients at risk for acute coronary syndromes. Also, they may have a substantial therapeutic impact in the management of athero-thrombotic vascular disorders, even though there are still obstacles in their use for that purposes, such as the delivery of the drug to target cells. Thus, it will be necessary to further explore their complications, before their use as therapeutic option.