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microRNAs Tune Oxidative Stress in Cancer Therapeutic Tolerance and Resistance

Wen Cai Zhang1

  • 1Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells develop resistance to treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy through complex mechanisms. This study explores the crucial interplay between microRNAs and reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in overcoming cancer drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Therapeutic resistance is a major challenge in cancer treatment, impacting chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
  • Cancer cells employ intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms to evade treatment, including genetic mutations and pathway alterations.
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROSs), byproducts of metabolism, are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer development and treatment resistance, particularly when antioxidant defenses are compromised.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which the microRNA-ROS network influences cancer therapeutic tolerance and resistance.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets within the microRNA-ROS axis for overcoming drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of current literature on microRNA regulation, ROS metabolism, and cancer therapeutic resistance.
  • Analysis of the crosstalk between microRNAs and ROSs in the context of cancer cell survival and treatment evasion.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated microRNAs fine-tune ROS levels, contributing to cancer cells' ability to withstand therapy.
  • The intricate network between microRNAs and ROSs plays a significant role in both cancer cell tolerance and the development of resistance.
  • Specific microRNA-ROS interactions represent potential vulnerabilities in resistant cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • The microRNA-ROS network is a critical modulator of cancer therapeutic resistance.
  • Targeting the microRNA-ROS crosstalk offers promising strategies for developing novel therapies to overcome drug resistance in various cancers.
Keywords:
cancerhypoxiamicroRNAoxidative stressreactive oxygen speciesredox signalingtherapeutic resistancetherapeutic tolerance

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