Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

282

Advances in the discovery of microRNA-based anticancer therapeutics: latest tools and developments

Kenneth K W To1, Winnie Fong1, Christy W S Tong1

  • 1School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery
|November 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in cancer. miRNA-based therapeutics offer a promising approach to cancer treatment by modulating multiple gene pathways, though challenges in delivery and safety remain.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • Aberrant miRNA regulation is a hallmark of cancer.
  • miRNA mimics and antagonists are emerging as novel cancer therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategies for correcting dysregulated miRNAs in cancer.
  • To discuss advances in miRNA-based therapeutic development and evaluation.
  • To highlight the potential and challenges of miRNA therapeutics in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of miRNA modulation strategies in cancer.
  • Analysis of technical developments in miRNA therapeutics.
  • Evaluation of preclinical and clinical data for miRNA-based agents.

Main Results:

  • miRNA therapeutics can modulate multiple cancer-related genes and pathways.
  • Key challenges include drug delivery, off-target effects, dosing, and safety.
  • Site-specific delivery and combination therapies show promise for improving efficacy and safety.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA-based therapeutics hold significant potential for cancer treatment.
  • Overcoming delivery and safety hurdles is critical for clinical success.
  • Precise identification of miRNA roles in specific cancers is essential for targeted therapy.
Keywords:
Antisense oligonucleotideCRISPR/Cas9 gene editingN-acetylgalactosamineartificial ribonucleasesextracellular vesiclesmicroRNA masking oligonucleotidesmicroRNA mimicmicroRNA spongessmall RNA zippers

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