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MicroRNAs as Emerging Regulators of Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment

Shahzad Nawaz Syed1, Bernhard Brüne1,2,3,4

  • 1Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.

Cancers
|April 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRs) are key regulators in cancer signaling pathways and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review highlights their canonical and non-canonical functions in cancer progression and therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises complex signaling networks crucial for cancer development.
  • MicroRNAs (miRs) are increasingly recognized for their significant roles in cancer biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding microRNA functions in cancer signaling.
  • To focus on microRNAs as novel regulators within the TME.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating microRNA roles in cancer signaling.
  • Analysis of canonical and non-canonical microRNA functions.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs regulate gene silencing post-transcriptionally, impacting signaling pathways.
  • Non-canonical microRNA functions include acting as toll-like receptor ligands and regulating protein interactions.
  • MicroRNAs are implicated in cancer initiation, progression, and chemoresistance.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs represent promising therapeutic targets due to their multifaceted roles in cancer signaling.
  • Understanding both canonical and non-canonical microRNA functions is vital for developing novel cancer therapies within the TME.
Keywords:
RNA therapeuticsbreast cancercancercarcinomainflammationmicroRNA

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