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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Role of MicroRNA-21 in Prostate Cancer Progression and Metastasis: Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targets
Vipendra Kumar Singh1,2, Naina Rajak3, Yashasvi Singh4
1School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Abstract:
The role of noncoding RNA has made remarkable progress in understanding progression, metastasis, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). A better understanding of the miRNAs has enhanced our knowledge of their targeting mainly at the therapy level in solid tumors, such as prostate cancer (PCa). microRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of endogenous RNA that deficit encoded proteins. Therefore, the role of miRNAs has been well-coined in the progression and development of PCa. miR-21 has a dual nature in its work both as a tumor suppressor and oncogenic role, but most of the recent studies showed that miR-21 is a tumor promoter and also is involved in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Upregulation of miR-21 suppresses programmed cell death and inducing metastasis and castration resistant in PCa. miR-21 is involved in the different stages, such as proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion, and plays an important role in the progression, metastasis, and advanced stages of PCa. Recently, various studies directly linked the role of high levels of miR-21 with a poor therapeutic response in the patient of PCa. In the present review, we have explained the molecular mechanisms/pathways of miR-21 in PCa progression, metastasis, and castration resistant and summarized the role of miR-21 in diagnosis and therapeutic levels in PCa. In addition, we have spotlighted the recent therapeutic strategies for targeting different stages of PCa.
Insights
MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes prostate cancer (PCa) progression, metastasis, and castration resistance by suppressing cell death. Targeting miR-21 offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for advanced PCa.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Noncoding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), are crucial in understanding cancer progression.
- Prostate cancer (PCa) development and metastasis are significantly influenced by miRNA activity.
- miR-21 exhibits a dual role but is increasingly recognized as an oncogene in PCa, especially in castration-resistant forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms and pathways of miR-21 in prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and castration resistance.
- To review the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of miR-21 in PCa.
- To highlight recent therapeutic strategies targeting miR-21 in various stages of PCa.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on miR-21 function in prostate cancer.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in miR-21-mediated oncogenesis.
- Summary of diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions related to miR-21.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of miR-21 promotes PCa progression by inhibiting programmed cell death and driving metastasis and castration resistance.
- miR-21 is implicated in key cancer hallmarks including proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion.
- Elevated miR-21 levels correlate with poor therapeutic response in PCa patients.
Conclusions:
- miR-21 plays a critical oncogenic role in prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and castration resistance.
- Understanding miR-21's mechanisms provides insights for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in PCa.
- Targeting miR-21 presents a promising strategy for managing advanced and castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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