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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

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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Cancer Hallmarks and MicroRNAs: The Therapeutic Connection

Katrien Van Roosbroeck1, George A Calin2

  • 1The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.

Advances in Cancer Research
|September 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in all cancer hallmarks. This review focuses on protein-coding miRNA targets with FDA-approved oncology therapeutics, linking miRNAs to cancer hallmarks for potential drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human cancers exhibit distinct hallmarks, including uncontrolled proliferation and metastasis.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs frequently dysregulated in cancer.
  • miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating genes associated with cancer hallmarks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the involvement of miRNAs in each of the established cancer hallmarks.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies by focusing on protein-coding miRNA targets.
  • To connect miRNA dysregulation to targeted oncology therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of miRNAs and their protein-coding targets.
  • Analysis of miRNA involvement across key cancer hallmarks.
  • Identification of protein-coding targets with FDA-approved oncology drugs.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are deregulated and contribute to all major cancer hallmarks.
  • Specific miRNAs target key protein-coding genes driving cancer progression.
  • Existing FDA-approved oncology drugs target proteins that are regulated by miRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are critical regulators in cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting protein-coding miRNA targets represents a viable strategy for novel cancer therapeutics.
  • Further research into miRNA-target interactions can inform the development of effective cancer treatments.
Keywords:
Cancer hallmarksCoding gene targetsImmunotherapyInvasionMicroRNAsProliferationTargeted therapy

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