MicroRNAs in bladder cancer: biogenesis, function, and therapeutic strategies

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial for gene regulation.
• miRNAs significantly influence bladder cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
• Understanding miRNA roles is vital for developing novel bladder cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review miRNA biogenesis, regulation, and function in bladder cancer.
• To explore the impact of miRNAs on tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and immune evasion.
• To discuss current and future miRNA-based therapeutic strategies and challenges.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature on miRNAs in bladder cancer.
• Analysis of miRNA regulatory mechanisms, including canonical and non-canonical pathways.
• Examination of miRNA targeting of key genes (e.g., p21, TAGLN2, PROM2) and immune microenvironment modulation.

Main Results:

• Specific miRNAs inhibit bladder cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
• miRNAs play a role in immune evasion by regulating T-cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
• miRNA-based therapies like replacement and antisense oligonucleotides show clinical potential.

Conclusions:

• miRNAs are key regulators in bladder cancer, impacting tumorigenesis and immune response.
• Emerging miRNA therapies offer potential for enhanced chemosensitivity and suppressed tumor progression.
• Further research integrating multi-omics and systems biology is essential for clinical translation and precision medicine.