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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-34a: A Versatile Regulator of Myriads of Targets in Different Cancers

Ammad Ahmad Farooqi1, Sobia Tabassum2, Aamir Ahmad3

  • 1Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore 54000, Pakistan. ammadfarooqi@rlmclahore.com.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) shows promise in cancer therapy by regulating cell invasion and drug resistance. Further research is needed to understand its context-dependent role for personalized medicine applications.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is recognized as a tumor suppressor with roles in cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance.
  • It has been investigated as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in various cancers.
  • Numerous targets, including non-coding RNAs, have been identified, suggesting a complex role in cancer pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence on miR-34a's regulation of genes and non-coding RNAs.
  • To summarize advances in nanotechnology for miR-34a-based therapeutic delivery.
  • To re-evaluate miR-34a's function in a context-dependent manner and its potential in personalized medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on miR-34a.
  • Analysis of research on miR-34a targets and regulatory networks.
  • Review of nanotechnology applications for miR-34a delivery systems.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical studies show miR-34a's potential, but clinical trial results are mixed.
  • Emerging data challenges the consistent tumor-suppressive function of miR-34a.
  • Nanotechnology offers promising strategies for targeted delivery of miR-34a therapeutics.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding miR-34a's context-dependent behavior is crucial for its clinical application.
  • Personalized medicine approaches are needed to identify patients who may benefit from miR-34a therapy.
  • Further research is required to clarify miR-34a's precise role in different cancer types.
Keywords:
miR-34anon-coding RNAtumor-suppressor

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