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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

468

Regulation of multidrug resistance by microRNAs in anti-cancer therapy

Xin An1, Cesar Sarmiento2, Tao Tan2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B
|January 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer is complex, involving many mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of MDR, offering potential for new individualized cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) significantly hinders effective cancer treatment.
  • While several MDR mechanisms are known, their precise interplay and regulation in individual patients remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established MDR mechanisms in cancer.
  • To highlight the critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating these MDR mechanisms.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of miRNAs in overcoming MDR for personalized cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MDR mechanisms in cancer.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the role of miRNAs in MDR.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of miRNA-mediated regulation of drug resistance.

Main Results:

  • MDR involves diverse mechanisms including drug transporter dysregulation, altered apoptosis/autophagy, and metabolic changes.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate multiple genes involved in MDR pathways.
  • miRNAs demonstrate a significant regulatory role in modulating various drug resistance mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding miRNA-mediated regulation of MDR is crucial for advancing cancer therapy.
  • miRNAs hold promise for developing novel, individualized strategies to combat drug resistance in cancer patients.
Keywords:
AutophagyCancerMultidrug resistanceRedox HomeostasisTherapymiRNA

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