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Updated: Sep 8, 2025

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
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Therapeutic Targeting of Overexpressed MiRNAs in Cancer Progression

Sau Har Lee1,2, Brianna Brianna3

  • 1Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Current Drug Targets
|June 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Overexpressed microRNAs (miRNAs) drive cancer progression by inhibiting tumor suppressor genes. Antisense miRNAs offer a promising therapeutic strategy to reverse this effect and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, with dysregulation implicated in cancer development.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression can promote tumorigenesis by targeting tumor suppressor genes, impacting cell cycle control and apoptosis.
  • Overexpressed miRNAs in cancer cells often inhibit critical genes like PTEN, FOXO1, and caspases, fostering tumor growth and survival.

Approach:

  • This review examines the role of overexpressed microRNAs in promoting cancer progression.
  • It explores how cancer cells utilize specific miRNAs to suppress tumor-suppressing genes, facilitating uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis.
  • The therapeutic potential of antisense microRNAs (oligonucleotides) designed to counteract oncogenic miRNA activity is investigated.

Key Points:

  • Upregulation of specific miRNAs in cancer inhibits tumor suppressor genes (e.g., PTEN, FOXO1, caspases), promoting cell growth, migration, and invasion.
  • This inhibition leads to evasion of apoptosis and contributes to poor patient survival rates.
  • Antisense microRNAs can reverse the effects of overexpressed oncogenic miRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • Antisense microRNAs represent a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, with ongoing validation in preclinical models.
  • These agents show potential in slowing cancer progression and potentiating conventional chemotherapy.
  • The clinical translation of antisense microRNA therapy offers hope for improved oncologic care.
Keywords:
Overexpressed miRNAsanticancerantisense miRNAscancer therapeuticmiRNA dysregulationtumor suppressor genes

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