Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 11, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

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MicroRNAs as Emerging Therapeutic Targets Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell

Roxana Daniela Brata1, Lavinia Marcut2, Alina Cristina Barb3

  • 1Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) significantly influence head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting these miRNAs with nanotechnology offers promising precision therapies for HNSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with complex tumor microenvironments (TME).
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in HNSCC progression, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and stromal remodeling.
  • Understanding miRNA-mediated pathways within the TME is vital for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on miRNA-mediated molecular pathways modulating the TME in HNSCC.
  • To discuss emerging nanocarrier- and exosome-based miRNA delivery systems for HNSCC therapy.
  • To highlight the potential of miRNA-targeting strategies as precision therapies for HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current research on miRNAs and the HNSCC TME.
  • Analysis of key miRNAs (e.g., miR-21, miR-146a, miR-221) and their signaling roles.
  • Evaluation of nanotechnology-based therapeutic approaches for miRNA delivery.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs orchestrate bidirectional signaling, impacting HNSCC aggressiveness and therapy resistance.
  • Nanotechnology enables development of miRNA mimics, antagomiRs, and exosome systems for TME reprogramming.
  • Challenges in clinical translation include targeted delivery, molecular stability, and tumor heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA-targeting strategies hold potential for a new generation of precision therapies in HNSCC.
  • Reprogramming the TME via miRNA modulation can shift it towards an anti-tumor state.
  • Bridging molecular oncology insights with personalized HNSCC treatment is achievable through miRNA-based approaches.
Keywords:
exosomeshead and neck cancerimmune modulationmicroRNAnanotherapytherapeutic targetstumor microenvironment

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