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MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
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Published on: October 7, 2025

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microRNA Therapeutics in Cancer - An Emerging Concept

Maitri Y Shah1, Alessandra Ferrajoli2, Anil K Sood3

  • 1Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Ebiomedicine
|October 11, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs regulating genes, crucial in cancer development. This review explores miRNA roles in tumorigenesis and their potential as cancer therapeutics, alongside current clinical challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulatory non-coding RNAs controlling gene expression.
  • miRNAs are implicated as master regulators in cellular processes, including tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is common in various cancers, with miRNAs acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of miRNAs in tumorigenesis.
  • To examine current miRNA-based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
  • To discuss the advantages and challenges of clinical miRNA applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on miRNA functions in cancer.
  • Analysis of studies investigating miRNA deregulation in various tumor types.
  • Evaluation of preclinical and clinical data on miRNA-targeted cancer therapies.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs significantly influence multiple stages of cancer development.
  • Several miRNA-based therapies are under investigation, showing promise for cancer management.
  • The clinical translation of miRNA therapeutics faces hurdles including delivery and specificity.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are critical players in cancer biology and represent a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges and fully realize the therapeutic potential of miRNAs in oncology.
  • miRNA-based strategies offer a unique approach to cancer treatment, complementing existing modalities.
Keywords:
CancerClinical trialsNon-coding RNATherapeuticsmicroRNA

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