Drug Discovery and Development of miRNA-Based Nucleotide Drugs for Gastrointestinal Cancer
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Hiromichi Sato1,2, Tomoaki Hara1, Sikun Meng1
1Center of Medical Innovation and Translational Research, Department of Medical Data Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
Short non-coding RNAs, miRNAs, play roles in the control of cell growth and differentiation in cancer. Reportedly, the introduction of miRNAs could reduce the biologically malignant behavior of cancer cells, suggesting a possible use as therapeutic reagents. Given that the forced expression of several miRNAs, including miR-302, results in the cellular reprograming of human and mouse cells, which is similar to the effects of the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, this suggests that the selective introduction of several miRNAs will be able to achieve anti-cancer effects at the epigenetic and metabolic levels. In this review article, we bring together the recent advances made in studies of microRNA-based therapeutic approaches to therapy-resistant cancers, especially in gastrointestinal organs.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise in cancer therapy by reprogramming cells and targeting epigenetic and metabolic pathways. This review explores miRNA-based treatments for therapy-resistant cancers, particularly in gastrointestinal organs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs crucial for regulating cell growth and differentiation.
- Dysregulation of miRNAs is implicated in cancer development and progression.
- miRNAs can suppress malignant behaviors in cancer cells, indicating therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in microRNA-based therapeutic strategies for therapy-resistant cancers.
- To highlight the potential of miRNAs in targeting epigenetic and metabolic pathways in cancer.
- To focus on the application of miRNA therapeutics in gastrointestinal cancers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on microRNA-based cancer therapy.
- Analysis of research on miRNA-induced cellular reprogramming.
- Examination of studies investigating miRNA effects on epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells.
Main Results:
- Forced expression of specific miRNAs, such as miR-302, can reprogram cells, similar to transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc.
- miRNAs demonstrate potential to reverse malignant phenotypes in cancer cells.
- Selective introduction of miRNAs may offer anti-cancer effects via epigenetic and metabolic modulation.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA-based therapies represent a promising approach for overcoming resistance in cancer treatment.
- Targeting epigenetic and metabolic pathways with miRNAs offers a novel strategy against cancer.
- Further research into miRNA therapeutics is warranted, especially for gastrointestinal malignancies.
More Related Videos
09:40Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
Published on: October 4, 2019
09:45An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
Published on: May 21, 2019
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
Experimental RNAi
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics