Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
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

MicroRNA-21: a therapeutic target for reversing drug resistance in cancer

Liu Hong1, Yu Han, Yujie Zhang

  • 1Fourth Military Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. hongliu180@126.com

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|July 20, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes cancer drug resistance. Inhibiting miR-21 may reverse this resistance, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Drug resistance is a significant challenge in human cancer treatment.
  • MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), identified as an oncomiR, is implicated in the development of drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze the role of miR-21 in human cancer drug resistance.
  • To explore the expression, biological functions, and targets of miR-21.
  • To envisage future clinical and therapeutic applications of miR-21 in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review on miR-21 and cancer drug resistance.
  • Analysis of existing data on miR-21 expression, function, and targets.
  • Discussion of potential therapeutic strategies involving miR-21 inhibition.

Main Results:

  • miR-21 appears to promote drug resistance across various human cancers.
  • Inhibitors targeting miR-21 show promise in reversing drug resistance in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • miR-21 is a potential driver of cancer drug resistance.
  • Targeting miR-21 presents a viable therapeutic avenue for overcoming drug resistance.
  • Further research into miR-21 signaling pathways is crucial for clinical translation.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases09:48

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

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...
MicroRNAs01:22

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...
MicroRNAs01:22

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...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...