MiRNA and lung cancer radiosensitivity: a mini-review

Radiotherapy (RTH) is still one of the leading treatment options for lung cancer patients. This treatment option is especially significant for patients with diagnosis of locally advanced or advanced tumor. To date, it is difficult to predict RTH outcomes basing only on patients' clinical features. Moreover, there are no established molecular markers, which could improve the prediction of RTH efficacy. Among the most promising markers which could serve as valuable biomarkers of RTH, miRNAs seem to be the most appropriate. According to literature reports, these molecules may be used for the prediction of RTH response, selection of patients who could benefit from RTH, as well as to estimate the risk of toxicity after irradiation. Moreover, thanks to the possibility of its testing in blood samples whenever it is required, miRNAs seem to be a much more attractive predictive marker of response to RTH than other molecular factors. In the present mini-review, we discuss recent findings of experimental studies (cell cultures analysis) and clinical studies concerning the relationship between miRNAs and sensitivity of lung tumors to RTH.